<<The only people who really support prop 13 are the elderly people...>>
I really support Prop 13. Does that mean I am elderly? I am only 42!
Lizzie, as you said this was debated extensively a few months ago on this board. I welcome the different viewpoints, and now understand a few anti prop 13 arguements that I did not before. On the whole, however, Prop 13 is a good thing. It controls out of control government spending by limiting taxes (If not for Prop 13, Wilson would be solving the current budget crisis by simply doubling our property taxes), and prevents some from having to move from a neighborhood they have lived in for years simply because they can no longer afford property taxes. I know few people, elderly or not, who disagree with it, except a few on this board.
The theory that Prop 13 has caused the appreciation of California Real Estate is ridiculous.
1. California property was rapidly increasing in value BEFORE prop 13; in fact that was the main reason behind inacting it;
2. Property values have been increasing nationwide, and most states are without prop 13.
3. Property values decreased in California in the early 90's - How could this have happened if prop 13 was causing appreciation?
4. Property values are determined by what someone is willing to pay for the property. Since the buyer does not immediately get the benefits of Prop 13, it does not influence the purchase price.
5. Property values, on average, have gone up approximately 5% per year in California over the past 40 years. Prop 13 allows a 2% increase in property taxes, so the tax advantage is only 3% per year. Nice, especially when compounded, but not the giveaway that you make it out to be.
6. The advantages of Prop 13 have been somewhat reduced by the issuance of special voter approved bonds and other fees that are not limited by Prop 13.
<<Another casualty of prop 13 was the schools in CA which went from first to worst in 30 short years.>>
Possibly. I was in 11th grade when Prop 13 was passed, and I still remember the teachers being EXTREMELY upset about it. They were very vocal in the campaign leading up to the election, and even urged us to ask our parents to vote against it. One or two were even on the verge of crying after it passed.
Nontheless, California's school problems go way beyond prop 13. We are not lowest in spending per student now, nor were we highest in spending per student before prop 13. Blaming the California Educational system's problems on Prop 13 is a cop-out. |
