I want to address the concerns listed in the editorial written on July 23rd about the split-roll measure.
First of all, Californians are NOT going to have to pay more because of Prop. 15. The author was correct to say that Prop. 13 was passed in 1978 to protect people who were being priced out of their homes. But he does not mention that a lot of folks didn’t know that it also protects large commercial property owners like Chevron and Disney. That’s why most folks now agree that it’s time to have these large corporations pay their fair share of property taxes, while keeping protections for homeowners, renters, and small businesses.
Along with that, not a dime of this revenue is going to Sacramento. It is all local money that can be used how we the people see fit. If Prop. 15 passes, Orange County is going to get $400 million every year for our local services. That is money that we need for the services we rely on, especially during this time in which we are facing massive cuts. Prop. 15 provides full transparency and accountability by requiring schools and local governments to publicly disclose all new revenues they receive and how they are spent.
Californians already have to pay some of the highest taxes in the country – it’s time for large corporations to share the burden with us. Especially because 92% of the revenue that Prop. 15 will generate is coming from just 10% of California’s commercial properties. This proves that most commercial property owners are actually already paying their fair share and only a small number are reaping the benefits at the expense of our communities. That’s why nearly every other place in the country taxes their commercial property at fair market value — it’s just common sense.
Prop. 15 is the fairest and most economically sound way of generating long-term local funding for our schools and communities without having to increase taxes on people like you and me. Vote YES on Prop. 15 this November!
Rachita Rawal
Fullerton
This woman is crazy by saying Californians won’t be affected by Prop 15. This is all about greed. Every small family owned business will be affected. This just doesn’t affect the “big bad” corporations that the Democrats love to demonize. Most small family businesses lease their property which means when they property taxes go up they are on the hook for the increase. The owner of the property just passes it on to the lessee. Look for hundreds of businesses to close if Prop 15 passes because the small business owners simply cannot afford to pay annual property tax increases. That great pizza place, restaurant, dry cleaner, etc that you like so much? Gone.
VOTE REPUBLICAN if you don’t want your state to sink any lower than it is. The Democrat super majority is killing California.
Rachita Rawal is the campaign organizer and volunteer coordinator for Evolve Education. The way this letter to the editor is signed, Ms Rawal appears to want readers to think she’s just offering an opinion without any strings attached.
When someone is connected with an organization that has a vested interest in how a proposition is voted on, in the name of honesty and transparency they should let readers know this important information.
Why didn’t Ms Rawal tell you this? Perhaps for the same reasons the side that wants to destroy the integrity of Prop 13 with the split role proposition will mislead the public to get them to vote against their best interests.
IN NOVEMBER, SAVE PROP 13 BY VOTING NO ON PROP 15!
Find out more about Ms Rawal and the organization she is involved with:
https://www.evolveeducationfund.org/staff-and-board
Wow, I now have heard everything. Even I know nothing (which is probably correct), any property that is affected by this tax increase will affect the market. You mentioned Chevon, well aren’t the stations that sell their gas affected? Yes they are, so the price of gas goes up. That’s just for starters. How much more money does the state need to live within its means!
Dennis,
Thank you for reading Orange County Breeze, and for taking the time to comment on this article.
In my experience, the State Legislature is more effective at devising new ways to spend money than at tightening its belt and living within its means.
If you prefer a frugal and money-wise State government, I recommend voting against any incumbent candidate who is also a member of the Democratic Party of California in the November general election.
Again, thank you for reading Orange County Breeze.
Stay safe, stay healthy!
Shelley Henderson
editor, Orange County Breeze
On the Evolve California website Rachita Rawal is listed as Campaign Organizer and Volunteer Coordinator. At the top of that page is a message urging people to call the governor and ask him tho support Prop 15. This seems like information normally listed with the persons name when a letter is written to an editor. Is she trying to hide something or is this just an oversight?
Mr. Allen,
Thank you for reading Orange County Breeze, and for taking the time to comment on this article.
We published the author’s Letter to the Editor as we received it. We cannot vouch for whether the author overlooked including her affiliation, or whether it was a deliberate evasion.
Again, thank you for reading Orange County Breeze.
Stay safe, stay healthy!
Shelley Henderson
editor, Orange County Breeze
If we’re in the business of googling people and being mad about them not sharing their credentials, I did a little digging of my own…
Steve Allen owns a Commercial Real Estate Managment Company of his own name and in no way whatsoever would stand to take a financial hit if his customers get taxed more. I would hate to insinuate that he is commenting out of his own financial interests!
https://www.loopnet.com/brokerdirectory/profile/steve-allen/vct4fxe