In the last few years, California voters have helped make strides toward fully funding the communities and services that need it the most. By passing Prop 30 in 2012 we raised taxes on the wealthy and secured $6 billion in funding for education. In 2014 we passed Prop 47 to prioritize funding for services that prevent crime and help people get back on their feet.
We’ve made progress, but, we still have a long way to go to restore the devastating cuts to our communities.
Now we have another opportunity to raise revenue to invest in schools, colleges, roads, health care and critical services. Together, we can raise $9 billion a year for California by closing corporate tax loopholes.
Some big corporations and wealthy commercial property owners are using loopholes in the law to avoid paying their fair share in taxes. These loopholes deprive our communities of much needed revenue. As a result, California has made deep cuts to education, health care, programs like childcare and senior services, and even closed parks and libraries. These cuts have made it harder for people in our communities to get ahead, and have eroded the quality of our neighborhoods.
California is losing billions in revenue every year that could be used to make our communities better places to live and work. That’s why California Calls has joined over 20 organizations – community groups, labor unions and faith based organizations – to launch the Make It Fair campaign.
Make It Fair is a movement of Californians committed to take a stand for California’s future. Over the next year, we are recruiting 1 million Californians who are ready to rebuild our communities, make California a better and stronger state and secure local funding for our local needs. Join the campaign today.
To make it fair, we need to:
- Assess commercial and industrial property at fair market value (what the property is really worth) and close commercial property tax loopholes,
- Invest the resulting funds ($9 billion a year) in the schools and local services we all depend on,
- Protect homeowners and renters from any changes,
- Provide tax relief for small businesses, and
- Create concrete ways to make sure new funds are spent appropriately.
We need your help! We’re building a strong movement of Californians to spread the word about the critical need to make it fair and get our billions back. Your support is crucial. By signing up, you’ll be part of a movement of 1 million Californians who are tired of seeing important services deteriorate because of an unfair playing field. You’ll be supporting schools, parks, community colleges, roads and other critical local programs.
Will you stand with us to Make It Fair for California?
Have questions about property taxes and why they are important to our communities? Click here.