The Taxpayer and Protection Act qualified for the 2024 ballot and it will give voters the final say on all new and higher taxes as well as create strong accountability and transparency on hidden taxes and fees that have driven up the cost of living for families.
According to the authors, some of the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act’s key provisions are:
- Requiring all new taxes passed by the Legislature to be approved by voters
- Restoring two-thirds voter approval for all new local special tax increases
- Clearly defining what is a tax or fee
- Requiring truthful descriptions of new tax proposals
- Holding policy makers accountable by requiring them to clearly identify how revenue will be spent before any tax or fee is enacted.
The sponsors of the act include: California homeowners, taxpayers, and businesses. Committee Top Funders California Business Roundtable, AMR Holdco, and Kilroy Realty LLC. Matthew Hargrov of CBPA is also involved with it through the Business Roundtable.
Opponents of the act include: American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) California, California Professional Firefighters, California State Council of Laborers, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California State Council, California Alliance for Jobs, California Contract Cities Association, California Special Districts Association, California State Association of Counties, League of California Cities, Rebuild SoCal Partnership.
Want to learn more about NAIOP Silicon Valley’s Public Policy Platform? Please contact Edesa Bitbadal.
City of San Jose took a position on the Tax Protection Act. The City Council voted 10-1 (Doan) against Taxpayers Protection and Government Accountability Act ballot initiative.