Prop 19 proposes property tax code changes for older Californians and natural disaster victims. If passed, the proposition would give homeowners who are over 55, disabled, or victims of wildfires and other natural disasters a tax break, allowing them to transfer their primary home’s low property tax base to their new home when they move, up to three times.
It would also change the inheritance tax break to require heirs to use the inherited home as their primary residence within a year, or else the property tax will be reassessed to market value. If passed, local governments and schools could gain tens of millions of dollars in new property tax revenue per year and the initiative would also establish a fund for fire protection.
Proponents, including Brian Rice, president of the California Professional Firefighters, argue that Prop 19 will provide tax relief for seniors who are stuck in houses that they can’t maintain or are too far from family or medical care. They also argue that narrowing the inheritance tax break would generate more revenue for local governments and schools, since people who use inherited property as rental units or second homes would be forced to pay more taxes.
They also say proposition 19 creates a fire fund for needed fire staffing and emergency resources. These funds cannot be raided by the state.
The California Black Chamber of Commerce, the Valley Industry and Commerce Association, Gov. Gavin Newsom, Secretary of State Alex Padilla, the California Democratic Party and the Black Small Business Association of California endorse Proposition 19
Opponents, including Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, argue that the initiative would increase inequality. They say it would put people who are struggling to buy a home at a disadvantage, giving more purchasing power to existing homeowners. Current law allows Californians who move to transfer their low property tax rate to a new home only one time.
