The growing grassroots revolt against property taxes is taking root in California with a new initiative to exempt homeowners ages 60 and older from paying property taxes on their primary residences.
ABC10.com reports the office of California’s Secretary of State cleared the measure to become a referendum in November’s election. Supporters of the proposal need to collect nearly 875,000 valid signatures by Aug. 4 for ballot inclusion.
The measure would abolish property taxes for eligible seniors who either resided in their homes for at least five years or lived in California for at least a decade.
“We see the movement happening across the country,” said Rishi Kumar, the initiative’s proponent. “There are 16 states that have already done something to address the angst of seniors.”
However, the proposal is facing pushback from county government officials who point out the withdrawal of property taxes paid by seniors could impact the services they provide. The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office claims the measure could reduce local revenues by $12 billion to $20 billion per year, with losses growing greater over time.
“It would eviscerate services in communities up and down the state,” said Graham Knaus, CEO of the California State Association of Counties. “Public safety, elections, parks, infrastructure — counties often have no other funding source for those services.”
But Kumar challenged that scenario, stating local governments could pursue “belt tightening” while highlighting that seniors would circulate their newfound savings back into their local economies.
“When you look at the money going back into the pockets of seniors, they’re going to spend it in the local community,” Kumar said.
