The Orange County Taxpayers Association honored HJTA President Jon Coupal with the Royalty Award at its 14th Annual Roses & Radishes Award Dinner. The event celebrates with “roses” the outstanding individuals who have been friends to the taxpayer. “Radishes” are reserved for those who “could have done better.”
The Royalty Award is presented every year to one distinguished honoree in recognition of a lifetime of excellence in fighting for taxpayers.
At this year’s event, held on October 23 at the Hyatt Regency Irvine, OC Tax presented the Royalty Award to Jon Coupal for his leadership of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and the fight to protect Proposition 13.
Jon first joined HJTA in 1991 to oversee litigation and lobbying efforts, later becoming president of the organization. A recognized expert in California fiscal affairs who has won numerous tax cases before the courts, he was part of the team that triumphed at the U.S. Supreme Court in a 1992 decision upholding the constitutionality of Proposition 13. He was also instrumental in drafting and passing Proposition 218, the 1996 initiative known as the Right to Vote on Taxes Act.
A video presentation featured tributes to Jon from California Business Roundtable President Rob Lapsley, California Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President Marty Wilson, Swing Strategies CEO Tom Ross and Flash Report Publisher Jon Fleischman.
Jon Coupal “is somebody who is always looking out for the best interests of Californians,” Lapsley said, “and somebody, in doing that and accomplishing that mission, takes it to heart. So he puts Californians ahead of his own self-interest in what he does every day.”
All of us at the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association congratulate Jon on this well-deserved honor and are proud to be fighting alongside him to protect Proposition 13 and all California taxpayers.
Images courtesy of Orange County Taxpayers Association.
