Property Taxes

The justifications that only the biggest corporations will pay the tax and the implication that small businesses are protected are easily refuted.

Four decades ago, California’s corporate leaders opposed the windfall given them by Prop. 13. In November they will spend millions to protect it.

For local governments still sporting the budgetary scars of the last “once in a generation” recession, this downturn is at once familiar — forcing elected leaders to cut, furlough and delay — and entirely new. Never before in state history has so much economic activity ground to a halt so quickly.

Essential workers who contract covid-19 get workers comp protection. Company behind collapsed mask deal under investigation. Hospitals are struggling.

California begins to bend COVID-19 curve, but will it be enough to handle hospital surge? UC drops requirement for SAT, ACT scores. Big recession expected.

Income tax filers got a delay. Why not homeowners?

California's economy keeps rolling. State faces a doctor shortage. Groups switch gears on initiative to rewrite Proposition 13.

Effort grows to abolish state tax board, legislature weighs new tax proposals, no-preference voters on the rise

Why a split roll initiative is a bad idea: Changing Proposition 13 to permit commercial property to be taxed at market value would worsen the housing crisis and destabilize government finances. Just as taxpayers make adjustments to reduce their taxes, government officials embrace projects that will increase revenue.

Voters will soon have a chance to touch the third rail of California politics. Here’s a breakdown of how broadly and deeply Californians love their cheap property taxes.