It is no surprise that fiscal conservatives in California are appalled at the breathtaking assault on taxpayers proposed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Both activists and elected leaders -- usually Republicans -- have responded with either derision or laughter (with perhaps some expletives mixed in).  Read more >>

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 >>

Koko the gorilla, a resident of the Los Angeles Zoo, had become quite adept at picking the pockets of the zoo keeper. One day Koko used the zoo keeper's key to let himself out of his cage, and ambled over to the snack shop. Climbing onto a bar stool, he grunted "Water." When the man returned with a bottle of Aquafina, Koko handed him a $20 bill from the zoo keeper's wallet. Guessing the gorilla wasn't too smart, the man gave Koko one dollar in change. "We don't get a lot of business from the animals here," the man remarked. Koko snorted, "At $19 for bottled water, I'm not surprised."

Koko is not the only Los Angeles resident paying too much for water. And the snack shop isn't the only water purveyor hoping that its customers aren't too smart.  Read more >>

The city of Los Angeles has been caught with its hand in the cookie jar. The city's hands are experienced at this maneuver, but they don't usually get caught. In this case, the California Court of Appeal has ruled that the city broke the law by imposing a tax increase on cell phone use that did not receive approval of voters.  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 >>

Although it received very little press attention, taxpayers recently won a huge victory in the California Supreme Court. The ruling in Bighorn-Desert View Water Agency v. Beringson has created shockwaves throughout the state among those concerned with local taxation.  Read more >>

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 >>

The September 1997 issue of Debt Line reported on an Attorney General opinion which concluded that water service was not "property
related" for purposes of Article XIIID of the California Constitution (Proposition 218). Such an interpretation, if adopted by the courts, would permit local governments to impose water rates in a manner that deviates from the important "costs of service" requirements mandated by the new law, as well as depriving California taxpayers of significant procedural protections.  Read more >>