#prop 13

Because of Prop 13, which froze property tax rates on both commercial and residential properties back in 1978, many homeowners in places like Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, and Altadena are either still living in homes they bought in the 1970s-1980s, or they inherited that home from a relative, which allowed them to keep that low property tax rate.

It’s not all or even mostly millionaires and movie stars living in those places. It’s a lot of middle-class retirees who got lucky 40 years ago and never moved because they wouldn’t be able to buy a comparable or smaller property anyway.

So while movie star homes are getting all of the headlines, there are thousands more elderly and middle-class people in those same areas who are losing everything to these fires.

And, yeah, you can be mad that a 1978 amendment to California’s state constitution let this situation of people sitting on houses for 40 years happen, but it doesn’t mean it’s all or even mostly rich people this is happening to.

Vote prop 13

I wanted to learn a bit more about California Proposition 13 which Dr. Shange mentions as a reason for the underfunding of California public schools (and the subsequent school dependence on non-profits.)

In reference to Robeson’s dependence on nonprofits, Shange states, “Of course, what can feel like autonomy from the state comes at the expense of vulnerability to the shifting whims of private philanthropy” (33).

A BIT OF FANTASY IN AN EDITORIAL…….

FROM THE A.P. WIRE:

“Proposition 13 would spend $15 billion on California schools”

The only statewide measure on Tuesday’s California primary ballot is a $15 billion bond to repair and modernize aging schools, many of which are more than a half-century old and have issues ranging from leaky roofs and old wiring to toxic mold.

Some $9 billion from Proposition 13 would go to K-12 schools,…