Yorba Linda becomes first Orange County city to reaffirm Prop. 13 support, oppose 'split-roll'

Yorba Linda is the first city in Orange County to adopt a resolution affirming support for the current provisions in Proposition 13, while specifically opposing the “split-roll” proposal that would exempt commercial properties from the measure's tax limitation protections.

The city's resolution also opposes efforts to lower the two-thirds vote threshold that is now required to pass many tax increases. The “split-roll” and lower vote requirement proposals “would inflict irreparable harm on California's economy,” according to the resolution.

The resolution was adopted on a unanimous vote at an Oct. 1 meeting of the City Council.

Proposition 13 put the maximum property tax at 1% of the full cash value of the property in 1976, allowing up to 2% inflation increases each year and reassessments to 1% of current year values upon ownership changes or completion of new construction.

The measure was approved by California voters on the June 1978 primary ballot with a 62.6% “yes” and 34% “no” vote in an election with a 67.5% voter turnout. Orange County was among the 56 out of 58 counties in the state that supported the measure.

A “split-roll” measure – the California Tax on Commercial and Industrial Properties for Education and Local Government Funding Initiative – has already qualified for the Nov. 3, 2020 ballot, but proponents are collecting signatures to substitute a slightly revised version.

Yorba Linda's resolution states that the “proposed changes to Proposition 13 would have a variety of detrimental effects, including substantial tax increases for low-income and elderly homeowners, increased gentrification of our communities and higher rents and costs on everything we buy and use....”

The resolution also states that Proposition 13 has made California's property taxes “the most stable and predictable source of public revenue, even during economic downturns, which has provided a major benefit to local governments....”

The resolution was introduced by second-term council member Peggy Huang. She and four other Republicans are vying with incumbent Democrat Katie Porter in the March 3 primary to advance to the Nov. 3 general election to select the 45^th Congressional District representative.

The top two finishers in March will earn a spot on the November ballot. Other Republicans in the race are Mission Viejo Councilman Greg Raths, Laguna Hills Councilman Don Sedgwick, county board of education member Lisa Sparks and businessman Brenton Woolworth.

The district includes all of Irvine, Laguna Hills, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Orange, Rancho Santa Margarita, Tustin and Villa Park and parts of Anaheim, Aliso Viejo and Laguna Niguel.

Porter defeated two-term Republican incumbent Mimi Walters 52.1% to 47.9% for the position in 2018, becoming the first-ever Democrat to win a House race in the district. District registration is 35.5% Republican, 31.7% Democratic and 28.2% no party preference.