Comments on: Prop 13 Repeal: Part I on taxes

By: David Jackson

David Jackson — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 20:05:40 +0000

Prop 13 is a Formula method of trying to control taxes and spending. It is not fair taxation – new buyers and those that have moved are paying too much and those that can stay put get out cheap. Control of government spending should be from the opposite end of the system – budget control and decisions for funding based on programs. Then the level of taxes as a percentage of accessed value could go up or down as needed. This would tax property owners fairly. Alternative sources of funds should also be reviewed, and used, based on what services are being provided. Gasoline taxes to support transportation, for example.

By: Ron Starkey

Ron Starkey — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:41 +0000

I can remember folks having to sell their homes due to the fast rising property taxes back in the 70’s, but the voters also wanted to send a message to stop the outlandish spending by the state. I am sick and tired of Prop 13 being blamed for lack of money for the schools when Sonoma Co. has at least 40 school district with administrators trying to protect their jobs. And, since 1978 many homes have been bought and sold along with new construction of homes with price tage exceeding $800m which all get accessed at current value. In fact I read where the average house turns over every 7 years.

By: Pookie

Pookie — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 21:06:47 +0000

Why does everyone discuss Prop 13 when there is a simpler solution? 11% of our budget goes to incarcerating criminals. Some of their facilities are unfairly nicer than schools! Let’s move them all out to Death Valley and run a prison camp like Sheriff Joe Arpaio where they can eat baloney sandwitches, wear pick undies and move rocks all day..living on $.87 per day.

Next, cut off ALL services to anyone who broke our laws by entering our country illegally. This will free up schools, prisons, hospitals & welfare funds for American CITIZENS who deserve it. Send them back!!!

By: Joe Prison guard

Joe Prison guard — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 05:32:37 +0000

Stan and Roz. You are both idiots. You want to cut prison guard salaries?? The people who risk their lives guarding the murderes and child molesters who would otherwise be on the streets in our communities and around our children… How about you two geniuses take a shift at San Quentin and see if you would take a pay cut after that shift. Better yet, get back in your volvo’s and just stay at home. Next time you two clowns decide to express cutting salaries on people’s jobs of which you know nothing about, do some research on what the job entails.

By: Jack Allen Williams

Jack Allen Williams — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 23:33:26 +0000

What percentage of property owners are covered by prop.13?

By: Bill Goodwin

Bill Goodwin — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:19:14 +0000

Good thinking- let’s repeal Prop 13- then hand over the rest of our money to the gov’t-
When that happens you will have the same issues-
not enough money for this- not enough for that-
The same people who swore that lottery proceeds would go to the schools- depleted the schools original funding lines-
You expect them to honor a’committment’ that Property tax increases will go to the schools?
If you do- you believe in the tooth fairy- and global warming-

By: Brantly Richardson

Brantly Richardson — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 01:47:58 +0000

One of the reasons that Proposition 13 passed was the feeling that there was no rationality to the process of assessment. I can remember many people going to the assessors office to find out what the assessed values were on properties in their neighborhoods (me included). It was befuddling, similar properties had widely varying assessment. One thing you can say about Prop 13 is, you know what the rules are. You may not like them, but you know exactly how properties are assessed. Our assessor at the time made the comment the one shouldn’t look for equity in property assessment. You can imagine how that comment went over.

By: Realtor

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By: Vern Smith

Vern Smith — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:31:10 +0000

While Proposition 13 has had a detrimental affect on schools, cities and counties, it is not the primary problem today with the budget shortfalls as some critics claim.
Our schools continue to suffer from too much administrative overhead, out of control pension and health care costs, and constraints by Teacher Unions.
Our cities and counties have yet yet to significantly slow down their run away retirement and health care costs.
It is easy for these institutions to blame Proposition 13 rather than deal with the fact they have long term financial problems that transcend current terms of elective bodies.
Proposition 13 applicable to commercial properties probably should be repealed. The commercial market have more effective mechanisms to deal with increased cost where the homeowner does not.

By: Dennis Buss

Dennis Buss — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:25:44 +0000

I moved to Sonoma County from Princeton, New Jersey three months ago. Our property taxes in NJ were twice the amount I am paying here. High property taxes in NJ are driving retirees out of the state in droves (I am one of them). At the same time, those communities that were willing to tax themselves did support outstanding public schools systems. Unfortunately, many communities were unwilling and unable to raise property taxes for that purpose. In addition, the State of New Jersey traditionally did not transfer proportionally high amounts of tax revenues to local communities from the state-wide income and sales taxes. This changed when the state supreme court ruled that the 25 or so poorest school districts had to be supported by the state to equalize school funding. So, even though economic efficiency might be your criteria for developing taxation policy, I think issues of equity are and will always be linked with efforts at tax reform.