In my last column, I gave my stand on a couple of state propositions voters are asked to consider on the Nov. 3 ballot. Here are a few more.
Proposition 15 introduces a split roll property tax system by applying a different tax rate, ratio, or assessment schedule to commercial properties from the one that applies to residential properties.
A yes vote requires corporations pay their fair share of taxes. Major corporations pay almost no federal income taxes, although they pay taxes on profits and hire employees who pay taxes. However, for example, Facebook nets billions a quarter in profit but pays hardly any federal income taxes. In all fairness to Facebook, Founder Mark Zuckerberg supports Proposition 15.
Yet if major multi-billion dollar companies actually paid their taxes like a business on Main Street instead of retaining a team of lawyers to hide their profits offshore, we wouldn’t have to beg for money to fund our underfunded public schools at election time.
Yes, we should be skeptical about giving more money to local governments that have often mishandled our funds. We have examples. However, funding education and local services and protecting small businesses, especially those struggling during COVID-19, deserves community support.
I vote yes, knowing that as a voter, I must remain vigilant about holding elected officials accountable to what Proposition 15 proposes to do and electing those who care about the community.
I support Proposition 19 Home Protection for Seniors, Severely Disabled and Victims of Wildfire and Natural Disasters. The property tax transfer is a significant step for building wealth in the Black community. Also, through inheritance, children or grandchildren can retain the same tax rate if they reside in or rent the property. It also frees up housing inventory for younger families and first-time home buyers.
Some residents are forced to age in massive ranch-style houses. Others are disabled. However, they can’t move because of tax transfer issues.
In California, we have an annual threat of wildfires. For these reasons, Proposition 19 merits support.
I do not support Proposition 20’s stricter sentencing and parole laws. The measure increases penalties for low-level offenses and further perpetuates bias against Black people in a system set up to lock them up.
Proposition 23 revisits kidney dialysis clinic rules. According to the National Kidney Foundation, African Americans constitute more than 35 percent of all patients in the United States receiving dialysis for kidney failure, but only represent 13.2 percent of the population.
A yes vote will support low-income Black communities by increasing access and reliability of health care services during the COVID-19 pandemic and prevent discrimination based on the source of payment for care.
Proposition 24 seeks to protect our most personal information, increases financial penalties against violators, tripling fines involving children’s information while establishing a new agency to enforce privacy laws. Sounds good.
However, Proposition 24’s complex 52-pages cater to social media and tech giants and employ a “pay for privacy” scheme, disproportionately affecting seniors on fixed incomes, working people, and Black and Latino families.
Here’s something else. A new commission will work with a budget of only $5 million in a state of millions of Californians and many tech companies? Nope.
The current bail system is not working. It discriminates based on wealth, takes advantage of the criminal justice system for capitalist gain, and profits none but the bail bond industry. Proposition 25 keeps SB 10 in place and eliminates the use of cash bail in pretrial incarceration. I vote yes.
I will address the final propositions in my next column.
— The Vacaville author is a social issues advocate. E-mail: damitchell@earthlink.net
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