To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: JANE CHUNG, ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER
TITLE
title
AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN A LETTER OF OPPOSITION TO THE CALIFORNIA TWO-THIRDS VOTE REQUIREMENT FOR SPECIAL TAXES AND CHARTER CITY REAL ESTATE TRANSFER TAX PROHIBITION INITIATIVE (INITIATIVE 25-0006A1), WHICH, IF APPROVED, WOULD AMEND THE CALIFORNIA CONSTITUATION TO INCREASE THE VOTE REQURIEMENT TO APPROVE LOCAL SPECIAL TAXES AND INVALIDATE ANY PROPERTY RELATED LOCAL SPECIAL TAXES APPROVED BY LESS THAN TWO-THIRDS VOTE
AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN A LETTER OF SUPPORT TO SENATE BILL 922, WHICH, IF APPROVED BY THE STATE, WOULD ALLOW FOR CITIES TO RECOVER STREET MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR COSTS CAUSED BY HEAVY ESSENTIAL PUBLIC SERVICE VEHICLES
end
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Consistent with the Legislative Action Platform, draft position letters are to be presented to the City Council whenever practical. Therefore, staff is providing the draft position letters for Initiative 25-0006A1 and Senate Bill (SB) 922 for City Council consideration.
BACKGROUND
California Two-Thirds Vote Requirement for Special Taxes and Charter City Real Estate Transfer Tax Prohibition Initiative (Initiative 25-0006A1)
Initiative 25-0006A1, also known as the "Local Taxpayer Protection Act to Save Proposition 13," is a statewide ballot measure eligible for the November 2026 ballot. The measure was submitted by proponents associated with the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, an organization that has historically supported limiting taxation and expanding voter approval requirements for new taxes. Initiative 25-0006A1 proposes amendments to the California Constitution that would change how state and local taxes are defined, approved, and implemented.
Under current law, local governments may adopt general taxes with majority voter approval and special taxes with two-thirds voter approval. Charter cities may also enact certain taxes such as property transfer tax under their local authority. At the st...
Click here for full text