Democrats in the state legislature are finally fighting back with a proposed constitutional amendment (ACA-13) that would curtail the longtime agenda of business and anti-tax interests to diminish the ability of the majority to raise taxes for public priorities.
ACA-13, endorsed by unions, civic organizations and local governments, is a brilliant counter to years of so-called "taxpayer reforms" aimed at undermining democracy by requiring 2/3 votes for revenue measures. “Politico” called it giving the business interests behind the constitutional amendment “a taste of their own medicine.” Anti-taxers always want to pass measures by a majority that would then require a 2/3 vote to increase taxes. But if ACA-13 makes it to the ballot and passes, all measures changing voter thresholds for taxes would have to pass by the thresholds they propose creating. That's justice!
The crusade of anti-taxers goes back to Prop 13 and is always the same – making it harder and harder to pass state and local taxes when a majority of the electorate supports those taxes. This year’s version is called the Taxpayer Protection and Accountability Act and has qualified for the 2024 ballot. It would prevent any local taxes from passing by a majority (even if they were put on the ballot by voter signatures), AND it would be retroactive. Without ACA-13, it would be a disaster for children's funding measures. If ACA-13 makes it to the ballot and passes, this latest anti-tax measure would have to pass by 2/3.
Leading the charge is Assemblyman Chris Ward, a Democrat from San Diego, who introduced the measure. Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas from the Salinas and Pajaro Valleys and Senator Scott Weiner from San Francisco are two of the co-sponsors.
Links to articles on the measure:
CONTACT YOUR ASSEMBLYPERSON OR STATE SENATOR TO SUPPORT ACA-13. A 2/3 VOTE WILL BE NEEDED TO GET IT ON THE BALLOT. SEPTEMBER 14 IS THE DEADLINE FOR GETTING IT THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE. NO TIME TO WASTE!