Join the Fight to Defeat Prop 15
by Emily Rooney, Ag Council president
The largest property tax increase in California history will appear before voters as Prop 15 on the November 2020 ballot. Ag Council opposes this initiative deceptively titled the “California Schools and Local Community Funding Act of 2020” given it is a massive property tax hike that will negatively impact California agriculture.
Prop 15 is crafted to upend the existing property tax assessment system as we know it. California voters established the current system in 1978 by passing what was then Prop 13. Approval of that ballot measure 42 years ago set a constitutional cap on annual property tax increases for residential and business properties.
Prop 15, the November 2020 ballot initiative, would remove existing protections for business properties. An analysis shows Prop 15 would lead to exploding property tax increases amounting to over $11 billion annually at a time when Californians can least afford it and the middle of a pandemic and an unprecedented economic crisis.
Proponents tout Prop 15 as a constitutional amendment to fund public schools, colleges and local government.
The harsh reality for agriculture is that Prop 15 would trigger reassessments at market value for agriculture-related facilities and improvements.
Though the measure states it makes no changes to the taxation of agricultural land, Prop 15 proponents revealed in their fact sheet that agriculture is — in fact — impacted.
Proponents state, “Commercial or industrial structures on agricultural land would be taxed at fair market value” under Prop 15. “For example, a dairy barn, food processing facilities, and wineries would be reassessed as they are commercial and industrial” the fact sheet explains.
Given this, milking barns, packinghouses, food processing facilities, buildings, structures and wineries would be reassessed at current market value. Agricultural improvements such as fruit and nut bearing trees and producing vineyards are included as well.
The language in the measure states this reassessment shall occur no less frequently than every three years, amounting to a significant property tax on the agricultural community.
Under Prop 15, property will be reassessed and property taxes will increase, which undermines the certainty and stability our current system provides to the agricultural community in California.
When confronted with the facts about Prop 15, Ag Council’s board of directors voted to oppose the measure, and our association continues to work ardently to defeat Prop 15 this November. But, we need your help to be successful.
Action Requested – Help Ag Council Defeat Prop 15
Please consider joining Ag Council in the effort to defeat Prop 15 on the November ballot by supporting the outreach and education campaign. Simply provide the information below along with a check in the amount you deem appropriate and mail those to the address given below.
Importantly, 100 percent of your contribution goes toward the fight against Prop 15.
Required information to include along with your check:
• Name
• Street address (no P.O. Boxes)
• Occupation and employer
• If the check is from a business or organization, please provide the entity name
Please make the check payable to: “Agricultural Council of California Committee in Opposition to Prop 15” and add ID#1280428 in the memo section of the check. Mail the check to: Ag Council Committee in Opposition to Prop 15 c/o Richard Eichman, CPA 1127 11th Street, Suite 300 Sacramento, CA 95814.
If you prefer to contribute online via PayPal, click HERE to make a donation.
Thank you for your consideration. Together, we can work to defeat Prop 15.