In a setback for anti-tax groups, a state appeals court ruled Tuesday that the November ballot label for a measure that would allow some local tax increases to be approved by 55% of the voters does not have to say that current law requires two-thirds voter approval.
Proposition 13, the 1978 initiative that reduced property taxes statewide, also required two-thirds approval by local voters for any increase in local taxes. In 2000, the voters approved Proposition 39, which allows a 55% majority to approve taxes for local school bonds. Proposition 5 on the November ballot would make the same change for taxes funding low- and middle-income housing construction and public infrastructure projects, such as parks and roads.
Democratic legislators cast the votes that placed Prop. 5 on the ballot, and the official title, summary and ballot label were approved by Attorney General Rob Bonta, also a Democrat.
The title and summary on the ballot pamphlet that voters receive states that Prop. 5 “allows local bonds for affordable housing for low- and middle-income Californians, or for public infrastructure including roads, water, and fire protection to be approved by 55% of voters, rather than current two-thirds approval requirement.”
But the ballot label, a condensed version that appears on the ballot, says that the measure “allows approval of local infrastructure and housing bonds for low- and middle-income Californians with 55% vote.”
The language was challenged by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, named for Prop. 13’s chief sponsor. Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Shelleyanne Chang agreed with the group last week that the wording failed to inform voters of “the chief purpose of Proposition 5” and ordered Bonta’s office to add to the ballot label a reference to the current requirement of two-thirds approval.
But the 3rd District Court of Appeal in Sacramento overruled Chang on Tuesday and said Bonta’s ballot label was concise and accurate. The ruling will apparently be the courts’ last word on the issue, as the state’s deadline for printing ballot materials has now expired.
And the “Government Gangsters” just keep making it easier to pick our pockets.
So let me understand. The handcuffs on government theft is to be loosened.
The ability to get uniformed voters to ignorantly vote for more taxes while the Democrats continue to drag the ENTIRE STATE into BANKRUPTCY gets easy.
Uhhh the last time I checked the inflation caused by Democrats, the tax burden caused by Democrats, and more stupidity are crushing my ability to earn a living. I am 80, put money aside to live on. I am slowly drowning in RED INK caused by Democrats.
Sure go ahead and love how the Democrats keep lying and are destroying what should be retirement but in fact is working and all I want to do is have a vacation once a year and I cannot afford it because of DEMOCRATS.
I think the truth is coming out based on events the last 3 years.
You CAN NOT trust anyone in any job or position to do what they should, if they are a loyal democrat.
We see it in too many decisions by low level judges.
We really see it in attorney general decisions, all following party lines.
Governors make most decisions based on their party line.
State politicians are scared to death to do anything that might go against their party line.
IS THIS WHAT BOTH PARTIES WANT?
The next Civil War? This time democrats against republicans?
We all need to pray to God for some honest, freedom loving, loyal American politicians.