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.

Fortunately, as a direct result of Proposition 13, which limits increases in a property's assessed value to two percent annually, most property owners have a good idea what their bill will be even before opening the envelope. Still, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association recommends that taxpayers carefully examine their latest property tax bill. Although not common, assessors do make mistakes.  Read more >>

From the Los Angeles Times of July 9, 2008:

Property tax funds rise as housing market falls

Proposition 13 is credited with stabilizing California counties' tax bases even though valuations are lowered on thousands of homes.

By Cara Mia DiMassa
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

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.  Read more >>

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>