To gather information on government activities, it can be helpful to make an official request for information using the California Public Records Act.

Below is a standard letter that can be adapted for your specific needs.  Read more >>

Warning to California Taxpayers

In the last few weeks, we have been informed of numerous instances of taxpayer funds being used for political purposes. In most cases, local school district resources are being used to support local bond measures.

OUTRIGHT ADVOCACY OF THIS NATURE IS ILLEGAL AND YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO DEMAND THAT SUCH ACTIVITY STOP!  Read more >>

[Printable version in PDF format.]

BACKGROUND

With limited exceptions, Proposition 13 prohibited local governments from increasing property tax rates in excess of 1% of the "full cash value" of a parcel. As a result, local governments cannot increase property tax rates to pay for operating expenses such as the salaries of personnel.  Read more >>

[Printable version in Microsoft Word or in PDF format.]

BACKGROUND  Read more >>

As part of the TRUE Project, HJTA has put together a do-it-yourself package to help citizens place an initiative measure on their municipal ballot. Included are tips on preparing an initiative, the petitioning process, working with local officials and much more.

To view the package you must have Microsoft Word on your computer. To open it now, please click here.

For a list of jurisdictions imposing utility user taxes, click here.  Read more >>

Click here to download a PDF version of this information.

BACKGROUND

Californians have been paying sales taxes since 1933 when the total tax rate was just 2.50%. Sales tax rates have been steadily increasing ever since, with combined state and local sales tax rates beginning to approach 10% in some local jurisdictions.  Read more >>

The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Foundation (HJTF) is the research, education and legal arm of the Jarvis organization.

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In every new year, it is customary to look back and assess last year's gains and losses. I am happy to report that HJTA had a very successful year.  Read more >>

Our file containing the Supreme Court briefs in Bighorn-Desert View Water Agency v. Beringson is about seven inches thick. In addition to the briefs filed by the parties, this case drew briefs from several amici curiae (friends of the court), including the League of California Cities, the California State Association of Counties, the Association of California Water Agencies, and others. We were among the others.  Read more >>

The Supreme Court has granted review of two erroneous appellate decisions interpreting Proposition 218. Regular readers of this column already know about the first one: Bighorn-Desert View Water Agency v. Beringson, where the court of appeal ruled that water rates are not subject to Proposition 218 and therefore water rates cannot be reduced through a taxpayer initiative. The briefing before the Supreme Court is complete. We are waiting for the Court to schedule oral argument.  Read more >>