November ballot measure could limit voters’ ability to fund essential local services

The coalition to oppose Proposition 43 launched this week

By Kristine Guerrero, senior director of public affairs

Local government associations and public safety, labor, and community groups have joined forces to oppose Proposition 43, a constitutional amendment on the November statewide ballot that could limit voters’ ability to raise revenue for local government services.

If approved by the voters, Prop. 43 would require all local special taxes to receive two-thirds voter approval, not just those proposed by local governments. This would eliminate a tool many communities rely on to fund essential local services, including emergency response, wildfire preparedness, affordable housing, and homelessness services. 

"In Sonoma County, one of the highest fire-risk areas in California, citizens passed Measure H in 2024 ... to ensure sustainable fire response, expand paramedic availability and aggressive wildfire prevention,” wrote Sonoma Council Member Sandra Lowe in CalMatters. “If Prop. 43 was law two years ago, none of that would have happened — even with almost 62% of the vote.”

If approved, Prop. 43 would make it harder for communities throughout the state to use this longstanding tool at a time when many cities are struggling with budget deficits.

As an example: Earlier this month in Fresno, mayors and council members from across Fresno County, including Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer, joined local business groups, labor, and council community groups to support Measure S, a citizen-sponsored sales tax measure to fund transportation in the county and throughout cities. The city recently closed a $34.5 million deficit, making the possible funding stream even more critical.

A recent survey by the Public Policy Institute of California found that just 43% of likely voters would vote yes on the measure. Even the ballot measure’s author opposes it.

The measure was placed on the ballot as part of a last-minute deal between the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and lawmakers that removed a more destructive version of the measure and a separate constitutional amendment dealing with voter thresholds from the ballot. 

Other local government organizations opposed to Prop. 43 include the California State Association of Counties, California Special Districts Association, Association of California Water Agencies, and the California Park and Recreation Society.

Cities can oppose Prop. 43 by adopting a resolution. For more information about how to get involved, contact your regional public affairs manager or email ballotmeasures@calcities.org.