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Voter's Edge California Voter Guide
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Tuesday November 3, 2020 — California General Election

State of California
Proposition 19 — Changes in Property Tax Rules Legislatively Referred Constitutional Amendment - Majority Approval Required

To learn more about measures, follow the links for each tab in this section. For most screenreaders, you can hit Return or Enter to enter a tab and read the content within.

Election Results

Passed

8,545,393 votes yes (51.1%)

8,175,618 votes no (48.9%)

100% of precincts reporting (20,497/20,497).

CHANGES CERTAIN PROPERTY TAX RULES. LEGISLATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. 

Allows homeowners who are over 55, disabled, or wildfire/disaster victims to transfer primary residence's tax base to replacement residence. Changes of taxation of family-property transfers. Establishes fire protection services fund.

Fiscal Impact: Local governments could gain tens of millions of dollars of property tax revenue per year, probably growing over time to a few hundred million dollars per year. Schools could receive similar property tax gains.

Put on the Ballot by the Legislature 

What is this proposal?

Easy Voter Guide — Summary for new and busy voters

Information provided by The League of Women Voters of California Education Fund

The way it is now

You must pay property tax if you own a home. Taxes are based on how much the property was worth at the time it was purchased and go up by a small percent each year. Homeowners in “special groups,” such as people over 55, can buy a new home without paying higher property taxes in some counties once in their lifetime. If you inherit a home from your parents or grandparents, your property taxes may also be lower. Money from property taxes goes to local governments, such as cities, counties, public schools and special districts. 

What if it passes?

Prop 19 would expand the property tax rules for people in special groups. This includes people over 55, people who are disabled and people affected by a natural disaster. These homeowners could keep their lower property taxes, when moving to a new home anywhere in the state, up to three times. They could also get a tax discount when moving to a more expensive home. People who inherit a home could only pay lower taxes if they live in the house full-time. Taxes would go up on inherited homes worth more than $1 million.

Budget effect

Prop 19 would increase some taxes and lower others. Local governments could gain tens of millions of dollars per year, in the first few years, and then a few hundred million dollars per year, over time. More local money for schools might save the state tens of millions of dollars or more in some years. Counties would need to spend in the tens of millions of dollars each year to measure property taxes.

People FOR say

  • People should not have to pay higher property taxes on a new home if they lose their home in a disaster.
  • Prop 19 protects older homeowners and creates new opportunities for renters.

People AGAINST say

  • Prop 19 is a tax increase that was rejected by voters in 2018.
  • Prop 19 could hurt families who cannot afford to pay taxes on an inherited family home.

Pros & Cons — Unbiased explanation with arguments for and against

Information provided by League of Women Voters of California Education Fund

The Question

Should the California constitution be changed to modify the rules for transferring property tax assessed values and use any resulting new tax revenues for fire suppression efforts, schools, and local government? 

The Situation

Prop 13 set initial tax assessments on property values in 1975. Annual assessment increases are limited to two percent. Property taxes are limited to one percent of the assessed value plus any voter-approved local taxes. When a change in ownership occurs, the property is reassessed at its then current market value. The market value of most properties grows faster than two percent per year, leaving many properties taxed at a value below market price.

Some homeowners who are over the age of 55, have a severe disability, or whose property has been impacted by a natural disaster are allowed a once-in-a-lifetime transfer of the taxable value to a different home of equal or lesser value. Transfers must occur within two years. Ten county governments allow transfers of taxable value between counties.

Special inherited property rules allow some transfers without resetting the taxable value. When principal residences are inherited by adult children or between grandparents and grandchildren, the heirs inherit the original owner’s lower property tax assessment.

The Proposal

Prop 19 would:

  • Allow eligible homeowners to transfer a property’s taxable value to a more expensive home anywhere in the state, up to three times in a lifetime.
  • Still allow once-in-a-lifetime transfers for victims of wildfires and natural disasters.
  • Eliminate the transfer of taxable values of inherited properties, unless the properties are the heirs’ principal residence or a farm.
  • Provide an upward tax assessment, adjusted for inflation after February 16, 2023, to owner-occupied inherited properties with a market value more than $1 million greater than its taxable value.
  • Use increased state tax revenue from Prop 19 in statewide fire suppression efforts and reimbursement of counties’ costs.

Fiscal effect

Revenue – The overall impact of Prop 19 would probably yield local governments and schools tens of millions of dollars per year. Over time, these revenue gains could grow to a few hundred million dollars per year. Transferring lower property tax bills to a different home could reduce some local property tax revenues; however, revenue increases overall are expected in the tens of millions of dollars per year, reaching a few hundred million dollars per year over time. Increased home sales could generate transfer tax and state income tax revenue expected in the tens of millions of dollars each year.

Costs – State administration costs are expected in the tens of millions of dollars each year. There could be some state cost savings where lower property taxes result in lower state- matched school funding. Savings would be applied to fire suppression efforts.

Supporters say

  • Prop 19 expands Prop 13 rules for homeowners who are seniors, wildfire victims or people with disabilities, allowing the transfer of their homes’ property tax value to replacement homes anywhere in California.
  • It closes tax loopholes on inherited properties not used as primary residences, directing increased tax revenue to fire protection, schools, and local government.

Opponents say

  • The California Constitution was amended three times to protect the right of families to pass their home and up to $1 million of other property to their heirs without changing the Prop 13 tax assessment.
  • Reassessment to market value will force families to sell their property because they cannot afford higher property taxes.

Details — Official information

YES vote means

A YES vote on this measure means: All homeowners who are over 55 (or who meet other qualifications) would be eligible for property tax savings when they move. Only inherited properties used as primary homes or farms would be eligible for property tax savings.

NO vote means

A NO vote on this measure means: Some homeowners who are over 55 (or who meet other qualifications) would continue to be eligible for property tax savings when they move. All inherited properties would continue to be eligible for property tax savings.

Summary

Source: California Attorney General's Office - Official Voter Information Guide p. 38

OFFICIAL TITLE AND SUMMARY
PREPARED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL 

PROPOSITION 19.
CHANGES CERTAIN PROPERTY TAX RULES. LEGISLATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

  • Permits homeowners who are over 55, severely disabled, or whose homes were destroyed by wildfire or disaster, to transfer their primary residence’s property tax base value to a replacement residence of any value, anywhere in the state.
  • Limits tax benefits for certain transfers of real property between family members.
  • Expands tax benefits for transfers of family farms.
  • Allocates most resulting state revenues and savings (if any) to fire protection services and reimbursing local governments for taxation-related changes. 

SUMMARY OF LEGISLATIVE ANALYST’S ESTIMATE OF NET STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT FISCAL IMPACT:

  • Local governments could gain tens of millions of dollars of property tax revenue per year. These gains could grow over time to a few hundred million dollars per year.
  • Schools could gain tens of millions of dollars of property tax revenue per year. These gains could grow over time to a few hundred million dollars per year.
  • Revenue from other taxes could increase by tens of millions of dollars per year for both the state and local governments. Most of this new state revenue would be spent on fire protection.

FINAL VOTES CAST BY THE LEGISLATURE ON ACA 11 (PROPOSITION 19)
(RESOLUTION CHAPTER 31, STATUTES OF 2020)

Senate: Ayes 29 Noes 5
Assembly: Ayes 56 Noes 5 

https://vig.cdn.sos.ca.gov/2020/general/pdf/complete-vig.pdf#page=38

Background

Source: California Legislative Analyst's Office - Official Voter Information Guide pp. 38-39

BACKGROUND

Local Governments Tax Property. California cities, counties, schools, and special districts (such as a fire protection district) collect property taxes from property owners based on the value of their property. Property taxes raise around $65 billion each year for these local governments.

How Is a Property Tax Bill Calculated? Each property owner’s annual property tax bill is equal to the taxable value of their property multiplied by their property tax rate. The typical property owner’s property tax rate is 1.1 percent. In the year a new owner takes over a property, its taxable value typically is its purchase price. Each year after that, the property’s taxable value is adjusted for inflation by up to 2 percent. When a property changes ownership again, its taxable value is reset to its new purchase price.

Property Taxes Increase When a Property Changes Ownership. The taxable value of most properties is less than what they could be sold for. This is because the price most properties could sell for grows faster than 2 percent per year. Because of this, when a property changes ownership its taxable value often resets to a higher amount. This leads to a higher property tax bill for that property. This means people who move usually end up paying higher property taxes for their new home than they paid for their old home.

Special Rules for Some Homeowners. In some cases, special rules allow existing homeowners to move to a different home without paying higher property taxes. These special rules apply to homeowners who are over 55 or severely disabled or whose property has been impacted by a natural disaster or contamination. We refer to these people as “eligible homeowners.” An eligible homeowner can move within the same county and keep paying the same amount of property taxes if their new home is not more expensive than their existing home. Also, certain counties allow these rules to apply when an eligible homeowner moves to their county from another county. Homeowners who are over 55 or severely disabled generally can use these special rules only once in their lifetime. This limit does apply to properties impacted by a natural disaster or contamination.

Special Rules for Inherited Properties. Special rules also allow properties to pass between parents and children without an increase in the property tax bill. These rules also apply to grandparents and grandchildren if the grandchildren’s parents are deceased. We call properties passed between parents and children or grandparents and grandchildren “inherited property.” The rules apply to a parent’s or grandparent’s home and a limited amount of other types of property. 

Counties Manage the Property Tax. County assessors determine the taxable value of property. County tax collectors bill property owners. County auditors distribute tax revenue to local governments. Statewide, counties spend about $800 million each year on these activities. 

Schools Funding Comes From Both Local Property Taxes and State Taxes. Schools receive funding from both local property taxes and state taxes. State law says that schools must receive a minimum amount of total funding from these two sources.

https://vig.cdn.sos.ca.gov/2020/general/pdf/complete-vig.pdf#page=38

Impartial analysis / Proposal

Source: Legislative Analyst - Official Voter Information Guide pp. 39-40

PROPOSAL

The measure makes changes to the special rules for eligible homeowners and inherited properties. 

Expanded Special Rules for Eligible Homeowners. Starting April 1, 2021, the measure expands the special rules for eligible homeowners. Specifically, the measure: 

  • Allows Moves Anywhere in the State. Eligible homeowners could keep their lower property tax bill when moving to another home anywhere in the state. 
  • Allows the Purchase of a More Expensive Home. Eligible homeowners could use the special rules to move to a more expensive home. Their property tax bill would still go up but not by as much as it would be for other homebuyers.
  • Increases Number of Times a Homeowner Can Use the Special Rules. Homeowners who are over 55 or severely disabled could use the special rules three times in their lifetime.

Narrows the Special Rules for Inherited Properties. Starting February 16, 2021, the measure narrows the special rules for inherited properties. Specifically, the measure: 

  • Ends Special Rules for Properties Not Used as a Home or for Farming. The special rules would apply only to two kinds of inherited property. First, the rules would apply to properties used as a primary home by the child or grandchild. Second, the rules would apply to farms. Properties used for other purposes could no longer use the special rules. 
  • Requires Tax Bill to Go Up for High Value Inherited Homes and Farms. The property tax bill for an inherited home or farm would go up if the price the property could be sold for exceeds the property’s taxable value by more than $1 million (adjusted for inflation every two years). In this case, the tax bill would go up but not as much as it would if the property were sold to someone else. 

Dedicates Certain Money for Fire Protection. The measure could make new funding available to the state. We discuss this new funding in the next section. The measure requires that most of the new funds be spent on fire protection. In addition, the measure requires that a smaller part of the new funds be given to certain local governments. 

https://vig.cdn.sos.ca.gov/2020/general/pdf/complete-vig.pdf#page=39

 

Financial effect

Source: California Legislative Analyst - Official Voter Information Guide p. 40

FISCAL EFFECTS 

Increased Property Taxes From Narrowed Rules for Inherited Properties. Narrowing the special rules for inherited properties would lead to higher property taxes for some inherited properties. This would increase property taxes for local governments and schools.

Reduced Property Taxes From Expanded Rules for Eligible Homeowners. Expanding the special rules for eligible homeowners could change property tax collections in a few ways. Most importantly, more homeowners could get property tax savings when moving from one home to another. This would reduce property taxes for local governments and schools.

Overall, More Property Taxes for Local Governments and Schools. Some parts of the measure would increase property taxes. Other parts would decrease them. Overall, property taxes for local governments and schools probably would increase. In the first few years, local governments could gain tens of millions of dollars per year. Over time, these revenue gains could grow to a few hundred million dollars per year. Schools could receive similar property tax gains.

Possible Reduction in State Costs for Schools in Some Years. In limited situations, total school funding from property taxes and state taxes could be about the same in some years despite schools’ property tax gains. This is because existing state law could cause state funding for schools to decrease by about the same amount as their property tax gains. If this happens, the state would get cost savings in those years. These savings would be a similar amount to school property tax gains. The measure says most of these savings would have to be spent on fire protection.

Other Smaller Changes in Tax Collections. The measure allows more people to buy and sell homes without facing an increased property tax bill. Because of this, the measure probably would increase the number of homes sold each year. This would increase money going to the state and local governments from a number of other taxes collected on the sale of a home. These increases could be in the tens of millions of dollars per year. The measure says most of this increase in state tax revenue would have to be spent on fire protection. 

Higher Costs for Counties. Counties probably would need to hire new staff and make computer upgrades to carry out the measure. This would increase costs for counties by tens of millions of dollars per year.

https://vig.cdn.sos.ca.gov/2020/general/pdf/complete-vig.pdf#page=40

Published Arguments — Arguments for and against

Arguments FOR

Arguments are the opinions of the authors, and have not been checked for accuracy by any official agency. 

Prop 19 Limits Taxes on Seniors, Severely Disabled Homeowners, and Wildfire Victims; CLOSES unfair tax loopholes used by wealthy out-of-state investors; and PROTECTS Prop. 13 savings. Join Disability Rights and Senior/Housing Advocates, Firefighters, Emergency Medical Responders, Business & Labor, Democrats & Republicans. Get the Facts at YESon19.vote.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR:
Yes on 19
(916) 492-5210
info@Yeson19.vote
www.Yeson19.vote

— Source: California Secretary of State / Official Voter Information Guide p. 10

Arguments FOR

Arguments are the opinions of the authors, and have not been checked for accuracy by any official agency. 

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF PROPOSITION 19

YES on 19. Tax Savings and Housing Relief for SENIORS, WILDFIRE VICTIMS, and PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. Proposition 19 protects vulnerable Californians, closes unfair tax loopholes, and generates needed revenue for fire protection and emergency medical response.

1) LIMITS PROPERTY TAXES FOR SENIORS, WILDFIRE VICTIMS, AND DISABLED HOMEOWNERS. PROP. 19:

  • Removes unfair, ever-changing location restrictions in current law so homeowners who are seniors, disabled, or victims of wildfire can transfer their home’s Prop. 13 tax savings to a replacement home anywhere in California.
  • Provides housing relief for millions of seniors, many feeling trapped in homes they can’t maintain, with too many stairs, located too far from family or medical care—made worse by coronavirus health risks.
  • Creates record home ownership opportunities for renters and new homeowners statewide as tens of thousands of homes will become available for the first time in decades.
  • “After two wildfires destroyed 15,155 homes, victims faced massive tax hikes simply for relocating a few miles away. Prop. 19 removes unfair location restrictions to eliminate sudden tax increases so wildfire victims can move to a replacement home anywhere in California.” —Kristy Militello, Tubbs Wildfire Survivor

2) CLOSES UNFAIR TAX LOOPHOLES USED BY EAST COAST INVESTORS, CELEBRITIES, AND WEALTHY TRUST FUND HEIRS ON VACATION HOMES AND RENTALS:

  • News reports and property records have revealed rules meant to limit taxes on family primary residences are exploited by out-of-state professionals, celebrities, and wealthy heirs to avoid paying their fair share of taxes on vacation homes and rentals. [Los Angeles Times, 8/17/18]
  • Exploiting loopholes resulted in billions in lost revenue for schools and counties, forcing California homeowners to pay tax bills 10 times higher than rental homes in the same neighborhood owned by heirs, many living as far as Florida or New York. PROP. 19 PROTECTS FAMILY HOMES—and low tax rates—for children inheriting and living in primary residences as intended under law; ELIMINATES TAX LOOPHOLES on homes converted into rentals . . . since rental income would easily cover any bump in property taxes.

3) INCREASES FIRE PROTECTION, EMERGENCY RESPONSE & SCHOOL FUNDING BY:

  • Establishing Fire Protection and Emergency Medical Response Funding: dedicated revenue for fire districts in rural and urban communities to fix inequities that threaten life-saving response times to wildfires and medical emergencies.
  • Providing an economic boost for schools and counties struggling to balance budgets due to coronavirus, with long-term revenue for emergency response, affordable housing, homeless programs, healthcare, and other local services.
  • Generating hundreds of millions in revenue for schools and local governments resulting from senior home sales and closing loopholes on inherited properties not used as a primary residence.

4) DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS SUPPORT PROP. 19:

  • “Prop. 19 protects tax savings and benefits for vulnerable Californians, including seniors, disabled homeowners, and wildfire victims.”—Jim Brulte, CA Republican Party Former Chair
  • “Vote with state and local Democrats to close unfair loopholes and provide needed housing relief for seniors and working families.”—Alexandra Rooker, CA Democratic Party Former Chair

PLEASE JOIN FIREFIGHTERS, EMERGENCY RESPONDERS, SENIORS AND DISABILITY RIGHTS GROUPS, CALIFORNIA BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, CALASIAN CHAMBER, HISPANIC CHAMBER, LOCAL DEMOCRATS & REPUBLICANS.

YESon19.vote

BRIAN RICE, President
California Professional Firefighters

KATHLEEN BARAJAS, President
Californians for Disability Rights

GEORGE MOZINGO, Boardmember
California Senior Advocates League 

https://vig.cdn.sos.ca.gov/2020/general/pdf/complete-vig.pdf#page=42

— Source: California Secretary of State - Official Voter Information Guide pp. 42-43

Arguments AGAINST

Arguments are the opinions of the authors, and have not been checked for accuracy by any official agency. 

Proposition 19 is a billion-dollar tax increase on families. It takes away one of the best tools parents have to help their childrenen—the right, enshrined in California's Constitution since 1986, to pass their home and other property on without any increase in property taxes. VOTE NO ON 19.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AGAINST:
Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
921 11th St. # 1201
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 444-9950
(213) 384-9656
info@hjta.org
www.HJTA.org

— Source: California Secretary of State / Official Voter Information Guide p. 10

Arguments AGAINST

Arguments are the opinions of the authors, and have not been checked for accuracy by any official agency. 

ARGUMENT AGAINST PROPOSITION 19

VOTE NO ON PROPOSITION 19. “Proposition 19 is an attempt by Sacramento politicians to raise property taxes by removing two voter-approved taxpayer protections from the State Constitution. This measure would require reassessment to market value of property transferred from parents to children, and from grandparents to grandchildren.”—Jon Coupal, President, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association

Proposition 19 TAKES AWAY PROPOSITION 13-related protections that California families have under the State Constitution and replaces them with a tax increase. VOTE NO on Proposition 19.

Under current law, transfers of certain property between parents and children are excluded from reassessment, meaning the property tax bill stays the same after the property is transferred. The same is true for certain transfers between grandparents and grandchildren.

Voters added these overwhelmingly popular provisions to the State Constitution with Proposition 58 in 1986 and Proposition 193 in 1996.

Under Prop. 58, parents may transfer a home of any value and up to $1 million of assessed value of other property to their children without an increase in property taxes. IF WE LOSE PROPOSITION 58, children could be forced by higher taxes to sell their family’s property, such as a small business that has provided the family with financial security, and their longtime family home if they can’t move into it fast enough.

PROPOSITION 19 TAKES AWAY PROPOSITION 58, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS APPROVED BY 75.7% OF VOTERS!

Proposition 19 was put on the ballot through a last-minute backroom deal in the Legislature, despite opposition from both Democrats and Republicans.

Proposition 19 would force the reassessment to market value of property transferred within families unless used as the new owner’s principal residence.

PROPOSITION 19 IS A MASSIVE, BILLION-DOLLAR TAX INCREASE ON CALIFORNIA FAMILIES. The non-partisan Legislative Analyst’s Office projects that Proposition 19 could eventually cost California families about two billion dollars annually in higher property taxes.

THE TRANSFER PROVISIONS IN PROPOSITION 19 WERE ALREADY REJECTED BY VOTERS.

Current law (Propositions 60 and 90) allows homeowners age 55 and older to move to a replacement home and transfer their base-year property tax assessment from their previous home to the new property. Current law allows this transfer one time, within the same county or to a county that accepts the transfers, and only if the replacement property is of equal or lesser value. In 2018, voters were presented with Proposition 5, which would have allowed more transfer opportunities, but voters decided the current system was fair and they overwhelmingly rejected Proposition 5.

Now Sacramento politicians are offering this proposal again, but this time they’ve added a massive tax increase on inherited property. It’s a bad deal for California families.

California voters have said clearly that they do not want property reassessed to market value when transferred between parents and children, or, if the children’s parents are deceased, between grandparents and grandchildren.

Now Sacramento politicians are trying to take these protections away from California families so they can raise taxes again. Don’t let it happen.

VOTE NO ON PROPOSITION 19.

JON COUPAL, President
Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association

SENATOR PATRICIA BATES, District 36

ASSEMBLYMAN KEN COOLEY, District 8  

https://vig.cdn.sos.ca.gov/2020/general/pdf/complete-vig.pdf#page=43

— Source: California Secretary of State - Official Voter Information Guide pp. 42-43

Replies to Arguments FOR

Arguments are the opinions of the authors, and have not been checked for accuracy by any official agency. 

REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF PROPOSITION 19 

Prop. 19 eliminates one of the best tools parents have to help their children.

That’s the right, enshrined in California’s Constitution since 1986, to pass their home and up to $1 million of other property on without changing the Prop. 13 tax assessment. Reassessment can mean a crushing tax increase. So parent-child transfers of a home and limited other property, like a small business, are protected from reassessment by Proposition 58, which passed with 76% of the vote in 1986.

PROPOSITION 19 ELIMINATES PROPOSITION 58. Transfers of family homes will be automatically reassessed unless a child moves in within one year.

Prop. 19 will collect new taxes when California families are FORCED BY HIGHER TAXES TO SELL THEIR PROPERTY. Its backers promise money for all kinds of programs. Everything the backers of Prop. 19 say it will pay for is paid for by RAISING TAXES on parent-child transfers of family property.

Prop.19 backers say “tens of thousands of homes” will become available to create home ownership opportunities. Prop. 19’s backers expect it to trigger the sale of lots of family homes. That’s shocking!

Parents today have very few tools in the toolkit to help their children financially. Even in good times, it is hard for the next generation to afford to stay in California, the place that has always been their home.

Proposition 19 isn’t necessary. It’s a major hit on the ability of any parent in California to take care of their kids. VOTE NO ON PROPOSITION 19.

ASSEMBLYMAN KEN COOLEY, District 8

SENATOR PATRICIA BATES, District 36

JON COUPAL, President
Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association  

https://vig.cdn.sos.ca.gov/2020/general/pdf/complete-vig.pdf#page=42

— Source: California Secretary of State - Official Voter Information Guide pp. 42-43

Replies to Arguments AGAINST

Arguments are the opinions of the authors, and have not been checked for accuracy by any official agency. 

REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT AGAINST PROPOSITION 19 

Don’t Believe Self-Serving Fictions Printed Above

GET THE FACTS:

FACT: Prop. 19 provides tax limits/housing relief for seniors. FACT: Prop. 19 closes tax loopholes used by out-of-state investors. FACT: Prop. 19 safeguards Prop. 13 for homeowners. FACT: Prop. 19 protects lives/homes from wildfires.

Read the initiative yourself:

  • “Property Tax Fairness for Seniors, the Severely Disabled, and Victims of Wildfire and Natural Disasters” [Prop. 19, Section 2.1(b)].
  • “Protecting the right of parents and grandparents to pass on their family home to their children” [Prop. 19, Section 2.1(a)(2)]. 
  • “Eliminating unfair tax loopholes used by East Coast investors, celebrities, wealthy nonCalifornian residents, and trust fund heirs to avoid paying a fair share of property taxes” [Prop. 19, Section 2.1(a)(2)].
  • “Limit damage from wildfires on homes through dedicated funding for fire protection and emergency response” [Prop. 19, Section 2.1(a)(1)].

Read more here: www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballotmeasures/qualified-ballot-measures

What facts did opponents conveniently fail to disclose?

  • One politician owns three homes—and recently admitted taking advantage of the same tax loophole Prop. 19 eliminates. [State Capitol Floor Speech, 6/26/20]
  • Another politician using the tax loophole paid $2,034 in taxes on a MILLION DOLLAR rental home—$10,000 LESS than what’s paid on similar neighborhood homes. [Public Records, San Diego County] 
  • Special-interest lawyer, Jon Coupal admitted voters didn’t intend to grant tax breaks for out-of-state heirs on multimillion-dollar rentals. [Los Angeles Times]
  • “Jarvis group evolves into money machine . . . Coupal is in the business of promoting initiatives and causes.” [Sacramento Bee Columnist]

STAND WITH MILLIONS OF SENIORS, DISABLED HOMEOWNERS, WILDFIRE VICTIMS, FIREFIGHTERS, EMERGENCY RESPONDERS, FAMILY FARMERS, AND HARD-WORKING CALIFORNIANS.

www.YESon19.vote

KRISTY MILITELLO, Tubbs Wildfire Survivor

DAVID WOLFE, Former Legislative Director,
Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association

SALENA PRYOR, President
Black Small Business Association of California 

https://vig.cdn.sos.ca.gov/2020/general/pdf/complete-vig.pdf#page=43

— Source: California Secretary of State - Official Voter Information Guide pp. 42-43

Who gave money?

Contributions

Yes on Proposition 19

Total money raised: $46,991,321
Bar graph showing total amount relative to total amount for this entire campaign.

No on Proposition 19

Total money raised: $44,903
Bar graph showing total amount relative to total amount for this entire campaign.

Below are the top 10 contributors that gave money to committees supporting or opposing the ballot measures.

Yes on Proposition 19

1
California Association of Realtors
$40,400,341
2
National Association of Realtors
$4,893,500
3
California Democratic Party
$1,515,526
4
California Professional Firefighters
$100,454
5
Neighbors for a Better San Francisco
$32,000
6
Operating Engineers Local 3
$10,000
7
Abramyan, Arnold Arnie
$5,000
7
Fabian Nunez for State Treasurer 2022
$5,000
7
Garden on Foothill, Inc.
$5,000
7
Southern California Pipe Trades District Council 16
$5,000
7
Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters
$5,000
7
United Firefighters of Los Angeles City Local 112
$5,000

No on Proposition 19

1
Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
$44,903

More information about contributions

Yes on Proposition 19

By State:

California 89.59%
Illinois 10.41%
89.59%10.41%

By Size:

Large contributions (100.00%)
Small contributions (0.00%)
100.00%

By Type:

From organizations (99.98%)
From individuals (0.02%)
99.98%

No on Proposition 19

By State:

California 100.00%
100.00%

By Size:

Large contributions (100.00%)
Small contributions (0.00%)
100.00%

By Type:

From organizations (100.00%)
From individuals (0.00%)
100.00%

More information

Videos (6)

Prop 19 broadens the circumstances in which eligible homeowners in California can transfer their tax assessments. It requires that inherited homes not used as principal residences be reassessed at market value when transferred and allocates most of the additional money raised from the ballot measure to wildfire response.
— October 4, 2020 League of Women Voters of San Diego
Ballot measures can sometimes feel like trick questions. We at the League of Women Voters are dedicated to providing non-partisan "prop talks" to help break down each measure. We will present the pros and cons of how these policies will impact your day to day life.
— October 1, 2020 Los Angeles Times
If Proposition 19 passes, it would give continued property tax breaks to Californians age 55 and older who want to move.
Si se aprueba la Proposición 19, daría continuas ventajas en el impuesto sobre la propiedad a los californianos de 55 años o más que quieran mudarse.
— October 12, 2020 League of Women Voters of Cupertino-Sunnyvale
This video covers all 12 Propositions, Measure 19 starts at time: 19:31
— October 18, 2020 League of Women Voters of Southwest Santa Clara Valley

Events (5)

Additional Info

Entities Remaining Neutral or Taking No Position

(Explanation for the absence of major entities from the lists of Yes or No endorsements)

The Republican Party of San Diego County is taking no position on this measure.
http://www.sandiegorepublicans.org/endorsements.html

Contact Info

Yes on Proposition 19
Yes on 19
Email info@Yeson19.vote
Phone: (916) 492-5210
No on Proposition 19
Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
Email info@hjta.org
Phone: (916) 444-9950
Phone: (213) 384-9656
Address:
921 11th St. # 1201
Sacramento, CA 95814
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Yes on Proposition 19

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