Hi, Fred Nelson for Community Comment

Most of you have heard of California Prop 13. Do you really know what it’s all about?

Prop 13, promoted by Paul Gann and Howard Jarvis, was an amendment of the California Constitution approved by California voters on June 6th, 1978.

• It limits the property tax rate to 1% of the cash value with the yearly assessed value capped at 2% with the exceptions of new construction or the sale of property.
• Prop 13 also requires a 2/3 vote to pass local per-parcel property taxes.
• In other words, it keeps property taxes down for you and me and protects us from tax hungry state legislators who would like to keep the state government from the same belt tightening that we are experiencing.

Prop 13 is now the primary target for many state legislators, state government employees and those who depend on state government for contracts. Initiatives have already been filed to eliminate the 2/3rds vote and calling for a constitutional convention. Even with the 2/3rds vote required, the Legislature managed to pass large tax increases, one in 1991 and one in February of this year.

You can imagine what would have happened without the protection that we do have!

Perhaps the worst move is a stealthy effort by a group called “Repair California”.

They have submitted an initiative to allow voters to authorize and convene a convention to rewrite the California Constitution. The proposed convention would number about 435 delegates with almost half chosen by a random process similar to jury selection and the remaining majority appointed by local government officials around the state. They would be directed to focus on government reform.

A second convention initiative, backed by a more radical group, “California Action Network”, calls for delegates to be elected in campaigns funded by the taxpayer, then sequestered to protect them from special interest lobbyists and be tasked with the drafting of a TOTALLY NEW CONSTITUTION. How scary is that??

Either proposal gives a handful of people the authority to run rampant through our state constitution which affects 37 million Californians.

Tax protections could be gutted along with God knows what else. Oh yes, the voter would be able approve or disapprove the constitutional changes but, the chance for confusion over what the changes would really mean would be massive with the possibility of huge profits by special interest groups.

Most of my information comes from the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, a group that is vitally interested in protecting the California taxpayer. I suggest that you get acquainted with their organization and other like groups who are really the only ones who stand between the politician and your wallet. Don’t forget: bonds must be spent on brick and mortar projects. Parcel taxes can be used for any purpose, including increased salaries for public employees.

Fred Nelson for Community Comment