Navigating Propositions/Measures Information

Once again, California voters face a mountain of Propositions/Measures, each presenting complex details, tricky wording, catchy slogans and slick marketing mailers, television and social media ads that can overwhelm and trick even the most diligent voters. Many of us find ourselves asking, “How can I truly understand each proposal in time? And if I vote YES, will it come back to haunt me?”

Navigating Uncertainty of How to Vote on Propositions/Measures

Over the years, our team members and highly regarded referenced sources have developed guidelines to assist navigating the uncertainty.

• RULE #1 - *Rule of Known vs. the Unknown.* When in doubt, always vote NO.
• NO vote keeps the current law in place, maintaining the status quo.
• YES vote, on the other hand, changes the law—sometimes for the better, but sometimes with unintended consequences. Remember, a bad law is incredibly time consuming, costly to tax payers and difficult to undo, while a good – or better - proposal can always return for another vote.

  To Vote or Not to Vote on Tax Increases

• RULE #2 - *Tax increases take money from your wallet.*
• Whether through property, sales, or business taxes, you will have less money in your wallet. Voting for multiple tax increases will not lead to higher wages; it will force you to adjust to a lower standard of living. 
• Understand that these bonds are debt instruments – not free money. Bonds can take four or more decades to repay, and the actual cost is typically double and many times, 2.5 times the face value or principal amount. So, when asked to vote on school bond measures, consider whether the short-term benefits—like facilities upgrades, paint, technology, landscape, stadium lights, or building rental income housing for a school district—are worth paying for with a credit card for 40 years or more. These are long-term financial commitments and will have a lasting effect on your family budget and the future generation’s budget!

Remember, the most important rule:

• RULE #1 - *Rule of Known vs. the Unknown.* When in doubt, always vote NO.
  

VOTING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR STATEWIDE BALLOT MEASURES

The propositions listed here are those which TLC has studied as they relate to housing issues.  These will have direct impact on housing issues.  They will have a direct effect on what it costs to own or rent housing in California.  Except as noted, TLC views their impact as very negative, and the legislation as poorly crafted, or contrary to the goal to improve availability of more housing in the state.
 

Proposition 2: NO! Borrow $10 billion to build schools. 

Legislators put on the ballot a bond issue to give $8.5 billion to K-12 schools and $1.5 billion to community colleges for construction and modernization. California schools are in shambles! Since the Covid lockdowns schools in Ca have dropped in enrollment by more than 20%. In Monterey County enrollment has dropped more than 14%. Property tax bill revenues devote 61% of all revenues to public schools. This coupled with State and Federal funds give public schools ample funds.

Proposition 4: NO! Borrow $10 billion for climate programs. This bond issues placed on the ballot by the Legislature includes $3.8 billion for measures that were passed years ago but were not used for the purposes voted upon.

Proposition 5: NO! NO! NO! Lower voter approval requirements for local housing and infrastructure bonds.

This constitutional amendment from the Legislature would make it easier for local governments to borrow money for affordable housing and other infrastructure. To avoid opposition from the influential real estate industry, supporters agreed to block bond money from being used to buy single-family homes. The politicians who wrote Prop. 5 even snuck in a provision buried in the fine print that would make it RETROACTIVE to November 2024.

Proposition 33: NO! NO! NO! Allow local governments to impose rent controls. 

This is the latest attempt to roll back the Costa Hawkins law which:  prevents localities from imposing rent control on units built after Feb. 1, 1995; prevents them from imposing rent control on single-family homes; and allows for rents to be reset to market rates between tenancies. There is NO justice in this proposition. If passed, this proposition will remove Costa-Hawkins, reduce rental stock and leave the rental units left on the market to languish in disrepair! NO!



Proposition 36: YES! Increase penalties for theft and drug trafficking. 

This initiative may be the most contentious on the ballot. It would partly roll back Proposition 47, approved by voters in 2014. This is the only protection for law-abiding citizens. The best proposition on the ballot.  Without it, properties and citizens continue to be put at risk.

HOW TO KEEP MORE OF YOUR MONEY IN YOUR WALLET!!

VOTING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ALL LOCAL MONTEREY COUNTY BALLOT MEASURES

• There are a staggering 23 local TAX INCREASES proposed in Monterey County
• There are 470 TAX INCREASES proposed in California
• An average of 8.1 per county. Monterey County is well above the average in taxation measures!
• The measures listed here are those which TLC has studied as they relate to housing issues.  These will have direct impact on housing.  They will have a direct effect on what it costs to own or rent housing in Monterey County.  Except as noted, TLC views their impact as very negative, and the legislation as poorly crafted, or contrary to the goal to improve availability of more housing in the state.

NO on A: Property TAX INCREASE Monterey Peninsula Unified School District

NO on B: Property TAX INCREASE Pacific Grove Unified School District

NO on E: Property TAX INCREASE Soledad Unified School District

NO on EE: Property TAX INCREASE North County Public Recreation District

NO on G: Property TAX INCREASE Salinas Union High School District

NO on J: Property TAX INCREASE Chualar Union School District

NO on K: Property TAX INCREASE King City Union School District

NO on L: Property TAX INCREASE King City Union School District

NO on N: Property TAX INCREASE Mission Union School District

NO on O: Property TAX INCREASE Spreckels Union School District

NO on P: Property TAX INCREASE Washington Union School District

NO on U: General Obligation Bond City of Marina

NO on H: Property TAX INCREASE South Monterey County Joint Union High School District

NO on I: Property TAX INCREASE South Monterey County Joint Union High School District

NO on D: Property TAX INCREASE Aromas-San Juan Unified School District

NO on M: Property TAX INCREASE Pajaro Valley Unified School District

NO on N: General Obligation Bond Mission Union School District

NO on C: Property TAX INCREASE West Hills Community College District (Fresno and Monterey County).