My Fellow California Voters!
As you may know, Prop 33 gives the People and their local governments the power to enact Rent and Eviction regulations for their own jurisdiction. That is currently prevented by a law called Costa-Hawkins.
The information about Prop 33 in your Voter Guide is written by somebody called the "Legislative Analyst". No name is given. So I don't know who wrote this. However, State law requires that this Analyst provide an estimate of the measure's impact on state and local government revenues and costs.
Unfortunately, the information provided is very prejudiced against Prop 33. It presents a very negative view.
For example, the Voter Guide, pages 42-43, speculates as to the cost Prop 33 would have for the state government, but says nothing about what benefits it would have for the local governments.
The Voter Guide says that Prop 33 "would reduce property tax revenues [by] at least tens of millions of dollars." (p43)
Well, that's not good news. The state needs all the revenue it can get!
But, what's worse, the Voter Guide says that "About half" of that money "would have gone to schools."
In other words, a "yes" vote on Prop 33 will take money away from little school children, just to save a few bucks for renters.
After hearing that, how ya gonna vote?
But wait! If you consider the benefits Prop 33 will have for your local economies, it seems clear that Prop 33 would bring in More Money for school children.
Think about it.
Wherever rents are stabilized at an affordable rate in this state, tenants will have more money to spend.
Much of this will be spent in local businesses. For instance, parents buying school supplies for their children. Renters would also have more money for groceries, clothing, books, vacations, perhaps an EV; thus, benefiting the environment.
Renters would also have money to pay for those prescriptions they have been denying themselves so that they could pay the rent. This means the state of California will receive an increase of sales taxes. That would be at least millions of dollars each year.
Also, profits for local businesses will go up. So, store owners will pay more income tax to the state. That would be millions of dollars more for the state, and for schools!
In other words, if Prop 33 passes, local area economies will prosper from stabilizing rents in the community, and state revenues would NOT be hurt.
Please consider these Benefits of Prop 33 for local communities when voting.
William J. Kelleher, PhD
