SUPPORT – Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act Jon Coupal
Fri 6/14/2024 1:30 PM
To: Stone, Lori <[email protected]>;Warren, Cindy <[email protected]>; Levell, Jon <[email protected]>; Holliday, Ron <[email protected]>; DeForest, Lisa <[email protected]> Cc: City Clerk <[email protected]>
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June 14, 2024
Dear Mayor Stone and Councilmembers,
On behalf of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, we are writing to urge the City of Murrieta to join us in adopting a support position for Initiative 21-0042A1, the
Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act (TPA), which will be on the November 2024 ballot.
HJTA is a proud co-chair of Californians for Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability, the campaign working to pass this critical initiative for California’
s future. A coalition of more than 165 organizations support the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act (TPA), showing the broad, diverse support already in place.
TPA is a simple measure that increases accountability and transparency for taxpayers and local governments alike. The initiative:
Gives voters the final say on all new and higher taxes
Requires all new taxes passed by the Legislature to be approved by voters.
Restores two-thirds voter approval for all new local special tax increases.
Eliminates all “hidden taxes”
Clearly defines what is a tax or fee — addressing recent court decisions that overturned decades of established taxpayer protections.
Prevents unelected boards and commissions from passing hidden taxes or fees without approval from elected officials or voters.
Requires truthful descriptions of new tax proposals
Holds elected officials accountable by requiring they clearly identify how revenue will be spent before any tax or fee is enacted and ensures it is not diverted to other purposes.
Ensures that the tax rate and length of time a new or higher tax will be in effect is listed on the ballot.
For local governments, it is critical to understand that TPA does not influence the vote threshold for any tax measure a local governing body introduces.
TPA affects only those special tax proposals introduced by citizen initiatives—measures that local governments should not be involved with.
Critically, TPA clarifies ambiguity in current tax law by reinstating the principles of Prop. 13 and Prop. 218, ensuring all special taxes achieve 2/3 support—a standard that local governments followed without issue for over two decades.
TPA’s passage is essential as special interests are already preparing for future attempts to dismantle Prop. 13. Evolve California, an organization dedicated to overturning Propositio n 13, recently stated in a webinar, “Our goal now is to have an initiative on the ballot November 2026.” In light of this, the passage of TPA is paramount to ensure that Californians are protected.
We respectfully urge the City of Murrieta to support the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act. Doing so will demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding the interests of voters, taxpayers, and residents and preserving their
economic vitality.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.
Sincerely,
Jon Coupal
President, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
Sacramento
Los Angeles
Received After Agenda Printed
6/4/2024 - Regular Meeting
Item No. 19 - Correspondence