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NFIB California Podcast: Prop. 13 at 45 Years of Age

NFIB California Podcast: Prop. 13 at 45 Years of Age

June 29, 2023

NFIB California Podcast: Prop. 13 at 45 Years of Age

On June 6, 1978, California voters, led by angry property owners, passed Proposition 13, which not only released public policy shockwaves across the nation but also triggered a hostility against it that continues to this day. No ballot initiative has ever faced the loud enmity Prop. 13 encountered by opponents who warned it would decimate public education and dry up local government financing, when they weren’t shrieking at seniors about the loss of police and fire services. It won’t last a year, then-Gov. Jerry Brown predicted if it passed. None of the hysteria panned out. Instead, Prop. 13 became “good tax policy,” said Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, named after the founder of the revolution. “It’s not what we saved California homeowners and businesses, but it also stabilized revenue for government and significantly provides higher property tax [revenues] than other states.” Why, then, will Prop. 13 never shake free of its persistent detractors? NFIB California State Director John Kabateck and NFIB chief legislative analyst, Tim Taylor, take a stroll down memory lane with Coupal and look ahead to what the future holds. Click the arrow below to listen. And click here to listen to all prior NFIB California Podcasts.  
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