Prop. 15 will close corporate loopholes

By Gillian Garaci, San Francisco | 8/18/2020

Regarding the article, “Challenge to tax bill language denied by Sacramento judge,” published in the Hi-Desert Weekender Aug. 7.

The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association has been trying to protect commercial property interests from day one. This unsuccessful attack on Proposition 15 is just another example of how this group will protect large corporations before everyday Californians.

Since 1978, California has lost about $150 billion in property tax revenue because of the corporate loophole. This loss of revenue has forced our communities to carry the burden by defunding public schools and essential local services such as fire departments, public transit, clean air programs and many more.

Forty years of disinvestment is why California schools fell from 5th to 39th in the country in per-pupil funding.

The passing of Prop. 15 will close the corporate loophole and restore up to $12 billion a year to our schools and communities for the first time in decades.

It will also help struggling Californians recover from the devastation of the pandemic.

Along with that, all residential properties will keep their protections and small businesses will actually receive direct relief through the elimination of the tax on business equipment.

This November is not only an important election for the country, but also for California. It’s going to be a long three months, but we need to fight hard against corporate interests and the money they have at hand. We need to finally put people over profit and vote “YES” on Prop.15.