Ceres council opposes ‘taxpayer protection’ California ballot initiative. Here’s why
The Ceres City Council on Monday unanimously opposed a measure proposed for the 2022 November ballot that Interim City Manager Alex Terrazas warned could hurt Ceres’ finances.
With a resolution, Ceres formally opposed the initiative the California Attorney General’s Office said limits the ability of state and local governments, as well as voters, to raise money for public services.
Proponents of Initiative 21-0042A1, named the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act, are collecting signatures to qualify for the November statewide election. The California Business Roundtable sponsored the proposed ballot measure.
The initiative aims to increase transparency and require any new or higher taxes go to voters for approval, per its purpose statement. Ceres joins other local governments and labor organizations in opposing the proposed ballot measure.
“Basically, it takes away local control from us when it comes down to taxes and revenue so that (there would) be less money for us to invest back into the community,” Mayor Javier Lopez said during the meeting Monday.
If the initiative qualifies for the ballot and voters approve it, Terrazas gave examples of how it could reduce Ceres’ revenue. When proposing new city taxes to voters in elections, Terrazas said Ceres would need to include an end date for the measure.
Taxes continuing indefinitely, like Ceres’ Measure H sales tax for public safety, would not be allowed. Local special taxes also would require a two-thirds vote instead of a simple majority, per the attorney general’s summary of the initiative.
The city also would need to get voter approval to collect transient occupancy and utility user taxes in potential new annexed areas, Terrazas said. “I unfortunately don’t have an estimate for what that potential impact would be, but it would not be insignificant,” he said.
The council directed staff to send its resolution to the League of California Cities, which opposes the initiative and requested municipalities adopt such resolutions.
Others oppose California initiative
Public safety groups are among the organizations also opposing the initiative. If passed, the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act also would affect new or higher state taxes currently enacted by the California Legislature, the Attorney General’s Office said. Voters would need to approve such taxes in a statewide election.
“This irresponsible measure would significantly reduce state and local funding available for fire prevention and response, including emergency services,” Brian Rice, California Professional Firefighters president, said in a press release. “At a time when our state and local communities are reeling from the impacts of intense and prolonged wildfires, this proposition interferes with the ability of firefighters and first responders to do our jobs and keep the public safe.”
A survey of 600 voters last month found that 54% oppose the proposed ballot measure, The Sacramento Bee reported. The polling firm David Binder Research reported 25% support the measure and 21% are undecided. The survey had 4% margin of error, The Bee reported.
Proponents must collect about 1 million signatures for the initiative to qualify for the ballot, per the California Secretary of State website. Its circulation deadline is Aug. 2.
