YES: HELPING FIREFIGHTERS, FIRE VICTIMS A NO-BRAINER
We know all too well the ravages of wildfires in San Diego and across the state. Our wildfire seasons are becoming longer and more catastrophic. This month, our neighbors to the north are experiencing severe firestorms with destruction of homes and businesses. Our collective fire resources are stretched too thin.
Unfortunately, this is now a new normal for all Californians. We know that every year, horrific wildfires will occur, causing severe loss of lives, homes and businesses. We just do not know which of our communities will be next. It’s a matter of when, not if.
This is why we are supporting Proposition 19 on the Nov. 3 ballot.
First and foremost, Proposition 19 will create a historic fire response fund that will generate annual funding for local fire staffing and emergency response as well as for Calfire. This is the first time voters across the state will have the opportunity to support firefighters with dedicated funds that can be relied on for desperately needed staffing and emergency response.
Under Proposition 19, fire districts are projected to gain a total of nearly $100 million within the first year of implementation with a 12-year total of additional funding of $6.1 billion, according to a recent analysis by former state Finance Director Michael Genest and his firm.
With Proposition 19, the state cannot raid these funds and cannot supplant current funding. This will provide more reliability and planning for resource-strapped fire departments that are in need. Rural and urban fire districts will be supported by these funds to ensure that every region has its fair share.
What is even better about Proposition 19 is that these funds are generated without a tax rate increase. Our firefighters will be funded by closing a loophole in an initiative from the 1980s that out-of-state residents or the wealthy often exploit in order not to pay an equal share of property taxes like everyone else in California. They use inherited homes for rentals and vacation homes rather than as intended by the author of the law to keep family homes affordable for children and grandchildren living in an inherited home. Continuing to provide a home for your family to live in will be rightfully protected.
The remaining funds generated from closing this loophole will go to local governments and schools — a welcome stream of new revenue now more than ever. Local governments are expected to receive hundreds of millions of dollars annually that can be used for services and programs we rely on, including mental health services, road maintenance, and housing and homeless programs. Personally, we would like to see more Psychiatric Emergency Response Team social workers hired to assist our communities and law enforcement agencies.
Many of our neighbors have lost homes from wildfires and when they need to relocate — even just a few miles away — our current laws penalize them as they have to pay a reassessed full property tax. Proposition 19 eliminates that property tax penalty and allows survivors to be able to afford to move to a new home. Our neighbors who lose their homes in a wildfire are survivors, not victims. Don’t victimize them for something outside their control.
Limiting property taxes for seniors and people with severe disabilities will also be permitted under Proposition 19 so they can more easily downsize and move closer to family. Many seniors and people with severe disabilities are on a limited budget and this will help so that they can still afford the property tax on a home that better fits their needs.
Proposition 19 is one of those very rare “win-wins.” This is why it is supported by Republicans and the California Democratic Party, chambers of commerce and the California State Federation of Labor AFL-CIO, California Professional Firefighters, NAACP California-hawaii State Conference, Californians for Disability Rights, Congress of California Seniors and wildfire survivors.
The only opponent of Proposition 19 is focused on defending out-of-state residents and those fortunate to inherit second homes and vacation homes who do not want to pay an equal share of property taxes. But those very funds generated under Proposition 19 would be used for firefighters and in our communities rather than providing a higher rate of return on inherited investments.
To us, Proposition 19 is imperative in 2020. Obtaining more reliable funding for firefighters and communities while limiting property taxes for wildfire victims, seniors, people with severe disabilities and family homes is the intended goal of Proposition 19.
We ask you to vote yes on Proposition 19 on Nov. 3.
Those who have lost homes from wildfires shouldn’t have to pay much higher property taxes on their new homes. Proposition 19 eliminates that penalty.