I am reminded of balloons twisted to make sculptures of dogs or other facsimiles...the volume in the balloon is just manipulated into a different shape. And in the case of CA's governance, while twisting the balloon into shape, add some additional volume to the balloon...presuming all along that its rubber will have unlimited capacity to infinitely expand. An admirable set of thoughts, especially if we had government leaders, legislators, local elected representatives, etc., who had any sense of fiscal responsibility or accountability. Regrettably, we do not.
State taxpayers did rise up and pass Prop 13, when the tax burden balloons were stretched beyond endurance.
But since then the major tax burden was shifted to the Top 10% of taxpayers and most in the state pay no taxes at all. The majority of people, the voters, do not suffer much of the burden of higher state taxes. Just those deemed to be "rich" and the general consensus in this one-party (D) state is they deserve it.
California, besides being the brunt of jokes has become a house of cards, teetering on the verge of collapse from its own weight, based on unsustainable grift and fraud.
How about starting with a property tax deduction for seniors and veterans, while disabled veterans pay NO property taxes similar to that of Texas?
Throw in a “Homestead” deduction while you’re at it.
CA is a mess highest every thing ripping off with gas tax instead of reducing and bringing back sensible oil expiration Newsome is screaming at Chevron and the president. What a hypocrite got this Sarah character now who probably governor with the dumbest politicians around California is a mess.
I am very happy to see this article. Great job Mr. Marymee.
Another parallel argument for lowering property tax is how property prices have risen drastically. Lack of supply of homes leading to very high prices is not proportionally linked to the cost of infrastructure and government services.
A very large factor in people moving and buying or not is the burden of property tax. A 2 million dollar home which is pretty common in SB area comes with a $2000 per month tax bill. AND it gets bigger each year and compounds!!
1.25% of sale price was probably a reasonable number on a $300k home. That paid for government at the time. But as the prices have risen tax revenue is up by 6.66%* in the examples above. An initiative should be pursued.
City governments love higher home sale prices. Their dirty little secret since this balances their perpetual budget give-aways in order to support their own necessary reelection voter groups.
All homes are affordable when someone buys them. And they do still sell. Assume also city council pitches for "more affordable housing" is just their way to cover up their own reckless budgeting need for even more top property resale prices.
Additionally we must also rescind Prop 98 which followed Prop 13 property tax limits. Prop 98 passed in 1988 guaranteed school funding, but with no accountability or outcome standards. Just a free flow of money every year which unfortunately only created the now overl-powerful state teachers unions.
These well funded teachers unions now essentially control this mandatory Prop 98 school funding, after learning how to sit on both sides of the school district bargaining tables.
You know the outcomes as well as I do - California schools which used to be the pride of the state are now ranked near the bottom nationwide in reading, writing and math. Yet their only response has been during this race to the bottom over the past 20 years ........we need even more money, or we can never improve.
Same arguments that apply to the free flow of property tax dollars - easy money created reckless government spending. And perpetual demands for even more money.
In the case of Prop 98, this guaranteed school funding resulted seriously declining outcomes for our entire K-12 school system. Not what voters intended when they agreed to pass Prop 98 in 1988. State taxpayers need a very serious look at both Prop 13 and Prop 98 - and the Laws of Unintended Consequences.
I am reminded of balloons twisted to make sculptures of dogs or other facsimiles...the volume in the balloon is just manipulated into a different shape. And in the case of CA's governance, while twisting the balloon into shape, add some additional volume to the balloon...presuming all along that its rubber will have unlimited capacity to infinitely expand. An admirable set of thoughts, especially if we had government leaders, legislators, local elected representatives, etc., who had any sense of fiscal responsibility or accountability. Regrettably, we do not.
State taxpayers did rise up and pass Prop 13, when the tax burden balloons were stretched beyond endurance.
But since then the major tax burden was shifted to the Top 10% of taxpayers and most in the state pay no taxes at all. The majority of people, the voters, do not suffer much of the burden of higher state taxes. Just those deemed to be "rich" and the general consensus in this one-party (D) state is they deserve it.
California, besides being the brunt of jokes has become a house of cards, teetering on the verge of collapse from its own weight, based on unsustainable grift and fraud.
How about starting with a property tax deduction for seniors and veterans, while disabled veterans pay NO property taxes similar to that of Texas?
Throw in a “Homestead” deduction while you’re at it.
https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/exemptions/
Admirable sentiments, one and all. Good luck getting them implemented in this Democrat hell hole.
CA is a mess highest every thing ripping off with gas tax instead of reducing and bringing back sensible oil expiration Newsome is screaming at Chevron and the president. What a hypocrite got this Sarah character now who probably governor with the dumbest politicians around California is a mess.
I am very happy to see this article. Great job Mr. Marymee.
Another parallel argument for lowering property tax is how property prices have risen drastically. Lack of supply of homes leading to very high prices is not proportionally linked to the cost of infrastructure and government services.
A very large factor in people moving and buying or not is the burden of property tax. A 2 million dollar home which is pretty common in SB area comes with a $2000 per month tax bill. AND it gets bigger each year and compounds!!
1.25% of sale price was probably a reasonable number on a $300k home. That paid for government at the time. But as the prices have risen tax revenue is up by 6.66%* in the examples above. An initiative should be pursued.
* an interesting number.
City governments love higher home sale prices. Their dirty little secret since this balances their perpetual budget give-aways in order to support their own necessary reelection voter groups.
All homes are affordable when someone buys them. And they do still sell. Assume also city council pitches for "more affordable housing" is just their way to cover up their own reckless budgeting need for even more top property resale prices.
All good points. Thank you.
Additionally we must also rescind Prop 98 which followed Prop 13 property tax limits. Prop 98 passed in 1988 guaranteed school funding, but with no accountability or outcome standards. Just a free flow of money every year which unfortunately only created the now overl-powerful state teachers unions.
These well funded teachers unions now essentially control this mandatory Prop 98 school funding, after learning how to sit on both sides of the school district bargaining tables.
You know the outcomes as well as I do - California schools which used to be the pride of the state are now ranked near the bottom nationwide in reading, writing and math. Yet their only response has been during this race to the bottom over the past 20 years ........we need even more money, or we can never improve.
Same arguments that apply to the free flow of property tax dollars - easy money created reckless government spending. And perpetual demands for even more money.
In the case of Prop 98, this guaranteed school funding resulted seriously declining outcomes for our entire K-12 school system. Not what voters intended when they agreed to pass Prop 98 in 1988. State taxpayers need a very serious look at both Prop 13 and Prop 98 - and the Laws of Unintended Consequences.
Well, I know who I won't vote for.