Vote No on Prop 5

Proposition 13, passed in 1978, has protected California homeowners by
keeping property taxes low. It limits property taxes to 1% of the purchase
price, helping families afford their homes without sudden tax increases.
Proposition 5, however, threatens to undo these protections.

Proposition 5 wants to change how local governments can raise money. Right
now, they need two-thirds (about 67%) of voters to agree before they can create
new taxes through bonds, which are like loans that need to be paid back with
interest. Proposition 5 would lower this requirement to just 55% of voters.
This means it would be easier for local governments to add more taxes,
increasing the amount homeowners have to pay.

This is especially bad for people on fixed incomes, like retirees, who are
already struggling with the high cost of living in California. Higher property
taxes could make it hard for them to keep their homes. Renters will also see
their rents go up as landlords pass on the extra costs.

We've seen what happens when the vote requirement is lowered. In 2000,
Proposition 39 reduced the vote needed for school bonds from two-thirds to 55%.
Since then, many new taxes have been added to pay for school buildings,
increasing property tax bills. Proposition 5 would do the same thing for many
other types of projects, making taxes even higher.

In conclusion, Proposition 5 is a threat to the financial well-being of California homeowners. It weakens theprotections of Proposition 13, making it easier for local governments to add
new taxes and take on more debt. I urge everyone to vote NO on Proposition 5 to
keep these important protections in place.

Cathy Ritch

Fairfield, CA