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Education Funding, Real Property Parcel Tax
Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute.

THE QUESTION

Should the California Constitution be amended to levy an annual $50 real property tax on most parcels with the funds allocated to five specified K-12 education programs?

THE SITUATION

Local governments impose a variable property tax based on the assessed value of property. Some local governments also impose a "parcel" tax, where the tax is the same amount for each property parcel. Currently, the state does not impose either of these taxes.

THE PROPOSAL

This initiative would add an annual $50 tax to each local property tax bill. This dollar amount will not change over time, although the number of assessable parcels could rise. The measure exempts any homeowner who is 65 or older or who is badly disabled.

It would create the Classroom Learning and Accountability Fund with the following annual allocations:

• Class Size Reduction—$175 million to reduce class size in any grade
• Instructional Materials—$100 million to purchase state-approved instructional materials.
• School Safety—$100 million for policing, gang-risk intervention and after school programs.
• Facility-related Grants—$85 million to school districts or charter schools that have not yet received any state facilities funding.
• Data System—$10 million for an integrated longitudinal data system.
• It would require an annual independent audit of how the funds were used at each school district.

FISCAL EFFECT

School districts currently receive almost $3 billion in state funds for the types of programs outlined in the proposal. It is estimated that the proposed statewide parcel tax would raise approximately $450 million annually. Approximately $30 million would be transferred to the General Fund to offset a decline in state income tax revenues. Approximately $1 million would be allocated for county administrative expenses.

WHAT A YES OR NO VOTE MEANS

A NO vote means that the state will not levy an annual $50 tax on each real property parcel to fund K-12 education programs.

SUPPORTERS SAY

• It will provide funding directly to local school districts so they can decide where to spend the funds.
• It is a relatively small assessment that will raise funds for student achievement while protecting property owners against runaway taxes—especially seniors with fixed incomes.
• Funds are subject to oversight and annual independent audits to ensure that every penny goes into classrooms and student learning, where it is needed most.

OPPONENTS SAY

• It will impose the first statewide property tax since 1910, encouraging other special interests to pass more and bigger state property parcel taxes to fund their specific causes.
• It exploits a loophole to avoid the requirements of Proposition 13, which requires two-thirds of the voters to approve any local parcel tax.
• The new parcel tax is permanent, whether or not it results in improvements to our education programs.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

PRO 916-448-3868, www.votefor88.org

CON 916-218-6640, www.noprop88.com