Assessment

Scary Times Made Scarier By Property Tax Bills

gforster — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:26:45 -0700

For many, these are scary economic times as the value of homes and investments declines. Adding to the anxiety, property tax bills are arriving in mail boxes across the state. Read more >>

Proposition 13 is credited with stabilizing California counties' tax bases

gforster — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:51:19 -0700

For decades, Proposition 13 has been cast as the bane of cash-strapped local government, limiting property tax revenues even as California's housing market soared. But this week, as county assessors reported rising tax bases despite the housing slump, they credited the 30-year-old law -- revealing its unexpected role as an economic stabilizer. Read more >>

Something Scary Coming To Your Home

gforster — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 16:59:34 -0700

It's that scary time of year. No, not the little goblins trick-or-treating at your front door. What is frightening is the property tax bill in your mail box. Read more >>

Know Your Property Tax Bill

Jon Coupal — Sun, 05 Nov 2006 18:20:39 -0800

Every year, about the time we start seeing pumpkins, an unpleasant, official looking envelope appears in property owners' mail boxes.

For most homeowners, the only solace when confronted by our property tax bill is knowing that, without Proposition 13, the amount owed would be nearly three times greater. Read more >>

Closing the Assessment Loophole in Proposition 13

jmonma — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 20:06:24 -0700

Proposition 13 could be rendered meaningless if Proposition 218 fails at the polls.

Consider: Proposition 13 is a law designed chiefly to protect property taxpayers. It put limits on how high and how fast property taxes can climb and requires a vote of the people on new local taxes. After Prop 13's success, bureaucrats looked for ways to raise revenues while avoiding Prop 13's restrictions. They hit upon assessment districts, which were historically used to fund capital improvements that directly benefited property. Read more >>

Text of Proposition 218 with Analysis

jmonma — Wed, 10 May 2006 18:15:26 -0700

Right To Vote On Taxes Act

Statement of Drafters' Intent

Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, January 1997

SECTION 1. TITLE. This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Right to Vote on Taxes Act." Read more >>