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Prop. 15 Do-Over? Measure Calling for Commercial Tax Increase May Show Up on 2022 Ballot

A request for a ballot measure called the “Housing Affordability and Tax Cut Act of 2022” has been submitted to the California Attorney General’s office.

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A request for a ballot measure called the “Housing Affordability and Tax Cut Act of 2022” has been submitted to the California Attorney General’s office. If supporters of the constitutional amendment meet all requirements and collect enough signatures to qualify it, the proposition could appear on the November 2022 general election ballot. 

The legislation includes a call to increase property taxes on commercial real estate owners in California. Currently, commercial owners in the state pay property taxes based on the value the property when it was purchased — not the market value. 

It is a tax code arrangement that some critics say results in the loss of billions of dollars in revenue for the state each year. 

The motivation behind the measure, its supporters say, is to create streams of new state revenue that could be used to combat the state’s housing availability and affordability crises.  Among other things, the measure calls for an increase of the tax exemption for eligible California homeowners and a tax relief for renters. 

Stanley R. Apps, proponent of the measure, says he intends for the proposition to code into law a substantial property tax exemption for homeowners. In the ‘Purpose and Intent’ section of the proposal, it states, “Since 1972, homeowners have only received a $7,000 property tax exemption, even though the median home price has grown from $28,660 to over $700,000. An increase in this exemption is long overdue. This Act will increase the exemption to $200,000.” 

The proposed increase would save most homeowners nearly $2,000 in taxes per year, making housing more affordable for middle and working-class families.  

Section 5 of the ballot measure’s language specifically proposes that all property in the state, including commercial real estate, be taxed at a rate that is based on “fair market value.” It also calls for an annual surcharge on all property worth $5 million or more. 

If this measure sounds familiar, you may be thinking about Proposition 15 which appeared on last November’s ballot. The proposition also calls for a commercial property increase. California voters rejected the measure.

Prop 15 was drafted in response to Proposition 13, which passed in 1978 and set the current precedent for commercial taxing rates in California. 

Critics say Prop 13 led to a 60% decrease in property tax revenue collected by local governments the year after the proposition was passed. Prop 15 would have called for owners of commercial property of a combined value of over $3 million to pay property taxes based on the current value while protecting owners of property under $3 million and owners of agricultural and residential property.

Those opposed to Prop 15 argued that most of the proposed tax burden would fall on renters of the property instead of the owners themselves due to clauses in lease agreements.

The new 2022 act has raised the value to $5 million for the adjusted taxes to take affect and also includes clauses that mandate property owners must take responsibility for the new taxes and may not pass the burden down to tenants.

Although, opponents of the Housing Affordability and Tax Cut Act of 2022 make direct comparisons between it and Prop 15, one distinction between the two proposals that stand out is that the new initiative focuses on housing. Taxes raised from Prop 15 would have supported public education. 

Institutions that opposed Prop 15 are prepared to mobilize once again to fight against the new measure. In a press release from the California Business Roundtable, President Rob Lapsey issued this statement in response to the proposal.

“The voters of California already made their position on higher taxes clear last year when they defeated Proposition 15, the largest property tax increase in California history. Today, all Californians continue to pay the highest cost of living while businesses are struggling with a sluggish recovery, a crippling labor shortage and a new tax increase to pay off the massive state-created debt in the Unemployment Insurance Fund. While California needs housing reforms to increase supply and improve affordability, a huge tax increase on homeowners, small business owners and renters is not a solution. We are ready to mobilize our broad coalition to once again defeat this measure in 2022.”

Read the Housing Affordability and Tax Cut Act of 2022 in its entirety. 

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Oakland Post: Week of May 28 – June 30, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of May 28 – June 3, 2025

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Oakland Post: Week of May 21 – 27, 2025

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OPINION: Your Voice and Vote Impact the Quality of Your Health Care

One of the most dangerous developments we’re seeing now? Deep federal cuts are being proposed to Medicaid, the life-saving health insurance program that covers nearly 80 million lower-income individuals nationwide. That is approximately 15 million Californians and about 1 million of the state’s nearly 3 million Black Californians who are at risk of losing their healthcare. 

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Rhonda M. Smith.
Rhonda M. Smith.

By Rhonda M. Smith, Special to California Black Media Partners

Shortly after last year’s election, I hopped into a Lyft and struck up a conversation with the driver. As we talked, the topic inevitably turned to politics. He confidently told me that he didn’t vote — not because he supported Donald Trump, but because he didn’t like Kamala Harris’ résumé. When I asked what exactly he didn’t like, he couldn’t specifically articulate his dislike or point to anything specific. In his words, he “just didn’t like her résumé.”

That moment really hit hard for me. As a Black woman, I’ve lived through enough election cycles to recognize how often uncertainty, misinformation, or political apathy keep people from voting, especially Black voters whose voices are historically left out of the conversation and whose health, economic security, and opportunities are directly impacted by the individual elected to office, and the legislative branches and political parties that push forth their agenda.

That conversation with the Lyft driver reflects a troubling surge in fear-driven politics across our country. We’ve seen White House executive orders gut federal programs meant to help our most vulnerable populations and policies that systematically exclude or harm Black and underserved communities.

One of the most dangerous developments we’re seeing now? Deep federal cuts are being proposed to Medicaid, the life-saving health insurance program that covers nearly 80 million lower-income individuals nationwide. That is approximately 15 million Californians and about 1 million of the state’s nearly 3 million Black Californians who are at risk of losing their healthcare.

Medicaid, called Medi-Cal in California, doesn’t just cover care. It protects individuals and families from medical debt, keeps rural hospitals open, creates jobs, and helps our communities thrive. Simply put; Medicaid is a lifeline for 1 in 5 Black Americans. For many, it’s the only thing standing between them and a medical emergency they can’t afford, especially with the skyrocketing costs of health care. The proposed cuts mean up to 7.2 million Black Americans could lose their healthcare coverage, making it harder for them to receive timely, life-saving care. Cuts to Medicaid would also result in fewer prenatal visits, delayed cancer screenings, unfilled prescriptions, and closures of community clinics. When healthcare is inaccessible or unaffordable, it doesn’t just harm individuals, it weakens entire communities and widens inequities.

The reality is Black Americans already face disproportionately higher rates of poorer health outcomes. Our life expectancy is nearly five years shorter in comparison to White Americans. Black pregnant people are 3.6 times more likely to die during pregnancy or postpartum than their white counterparts.

These policies don’t happen in a vacuum. They are determined by who holds power and who shows up to vote. Showing up amplifies our voices. Taking action and exercising our right to vote is how we express our power.

I urge you to start today. Call your representatives, on both sides of the aisle, and demand they protect Medicaid (Medi-Cal), the Affordable Care Act (Covered CA), and access to food assistance programs, maternal health resources, mental health services, and protect our basic freedoms and human rights. Stay informed, talk to your neighbors and register to vote.

About the Author

Rhonda M. Smith is the Executive Director of the California Black Health Network, a statewide nonprofit dedicated to advancing health equity for all Black Californians.

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