Prop. 19 would provide needed funding for fighting fires
Our communities have been ravaged for weeks by multiple wildfires, leaving acres of scorched earth and homes permanently lost. We have heard from our neighbors and read in this very paper that fire staffing and resources are stretched too thin, and tough decisions were being made by the brave firefighters who are our last line of defense protecting our lives and homes.
And it’s not even “wildfire season” yet. As one California fire official, said, “We are now living in a mega-fire era.” This means we need to start investing in our fire prevention resources now.
This year’s fires are compounded with an overwhelming pandemic, which has already left us with severe health, financial and workforce setbacks. Our budgets are in severe deficit, and our fire prevention and response resources are depleted.
We are all reeling, and we know we have a long road ahead.
We all must come together, and that includes supporting funding for our firefighters and funding for our communities that have been forced to cut programs and services due to the pandemic-related recession.
This is why I am supporting Proposition 19 on November’s ballot. It is the first time our state’s voters have an opportunity to support our firefighters with dedicated and steady funding for emergency preparedness needs.
Prop. 19 creates a fire response fund that cannot be raided by the state and cannot be supplanted. It will designate dedicated new funding for fire and emergency response across California, protecting millions of homes and lives. This funding will go to our local communities and our fire districts and departments.
Specifically, Prop. 19 is expected to generate nearly $100 million within the first year of implementation for fire districts with a 12-year total of additional funding of $6.1 billion, according to a recent analysis by Mike Genest, former California Department of Finance director, and his firm. This is a critically important step toward supporting the firefighters who risk everything to protect everything we hold dear.
Prop. 19 also focuses on helping support wildfire survivors. When survivors come home after being evacuated and see their home in ashes or severely damaged, the loss is something I’ve had to help far too many of my constituents live through. Things are not as important as lives, but a family home is where memories are made, and a lifetime of family keepsakes and mementos are painful to say goodbye to.
Right now, the law adds further tragedy to wildfire survivors as they are determining where to live or if they need to relocate to a different city for a new job. Prop. 19 ensures that wildfire survivors can transfer their property tax rate base with them so that they do not have to face the current tax penalty when faced with so many other costs and burdens and losses.
The Bay Area News Group chose to oppose Prop. 19 based on one provision, one that allows people with severe disabilities and seniors an opportunity to limit their property tax rates.
They should look at the complete picture and see the huge benefits for our stretched fire departments, our communities in need of new revenues to backfill their pandemic-strapped budgets, and the help that wildfire survivors need as they put the pieces of their lives back together.
Prop. 19 generates this new funding not from a tax increase but rather from closing a loophole often exploited by out-ofstate residents, celebrities or the wealthy. Closing this loophole creates tax fairness and will generate hundreds of millions of dollars for desperately impacted local governments and tens of millions of dollars annually for wildfire prevention, response and recovery efforts.
Please join me in supporting Prop. 19. It is a rare win-win and an opportunity for voters to express their gratitude to our brave firefighters who are risking their lives to keep us safe.
“We all must come together, and that includes supporting funding for our firefighters and funding for our communities that have been forced to cut programs and services due to the pandemic-related recession.”