Over 100 local elected officials announce opposition to Prop. 43

By Brian Hendershot, Cal Cities Advocate managing editor

Elected officials from over 100 local governments have announced their opposition to Proposition 43, a November statewide ballot measure that requires all local special taxes to receive two-thirds voter approval. The legislative constitutional amendment could limit voters’ ability to raise revenues for local government services.

Cal Cities opposes Prop. 43, along with the California State Association of Counties, California Special Districts Association, Association of California Water Agencies, and the California Park and Recreation Society.

The list includes mayors from some of California's largest cities — Long Beach, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San José, Stockton, and Oakland — along with several dozen other mayors from throughout the state.

"San Diegans should have the ability to decide for themselves how to invest in their neighborhoods, whether that’s building more homes, helping move people off the street, or paving our roads," said San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, who noted this is a matter of local control.

Under the proposition, a local measure to hire firefighters or build affordable housing could win 65% of the vote and still fail.

"Prop. 43 would let one-third of voters overrule the majority in our own communities," said San José Mayor Matt Mahan, who later noted that cities "need every tool to solve [the homelessness crisis], not new barriers."

The group noted that Prop. 43 could impact future funding for a range of public services, including affordable housing, emergency response, wildfire protection, wraparound services, child care, public transit, street repair, parks, and libraries.

"Citizens have shown they’re willing to invest in solutions when they’re given the chance,” said Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson. "Prop. 43 would make that harder."

A recent survey by the Public Policy Institute of California found that just 42% of likely voters would vote yes on the measure. The ballot measure’s author also opposes it.

Business groups and anti-tax advocates have tried to place some version of Prop. 43 on the ballot for nearly a decade. They finally succeeded this year, after striking a last-minute deal that removed a different version of the measure and a separate constitutional amendment dealing with voter thresholds from the ballot.

For information about Prop. 43, contact your regional public affairs manager.