Prop 43 – Oppose

Prop 43 – Two-Thirds Vote Requirement for Local Special Tax Initiatives and Property Tax Initiative Prohibition Amendment (OPPOSE)

Background

• Prop 43 would amend the California Constitution to require that local ballot measures proposing, extending, or increasing special taxes initiated by citizens receive a two-thirds vote to be enacted as opposed to a simple majority. If Prop 43 passes, it will only apply to future taxes.
• Prop 43 would also prohibit any local government from levying ad valorem taxes on real property.

Why SBC is Opposing Prop 43

• Prop 43 would make it significantly harder to increase taxes at the local level, limiting the ability of local governments to raise money for emergency services, wildfire resilience, affordable housing, healthcare, open space preservation, transportation, and other local initiatives. 
• If Prop 43 passed, it would become difficult to raise money for any kind of local essential services, lower tax revenue for local governments in the future, and make it easier for special interests to influence the outcomes of local tax initiatives on the ballot.

Implications for the Sierra

• Sierra communities face unique challenges, and local governments working on the ground every day are often positioned to understand their communities’ needs and identify effective solutions. Restricting their ability to fund and implement local solutions would harm Sierra communities and place additional strain on local governments, many of which are already operating with limited resources.
• For example, putting a measure on the ballot to raise taxes for emergency services and wildfire resilience would now require a ⅔ vote, making it much more difficult to pass. In the Sierra, funding like this is crucial to protect communities from wildfires that are only going to become more common as climate change worsens.

Other Resources

• No on Prop 43 Website
• LAO Report on Prop 43