YOUR DUES DOLLARS AT WORK

CCA WORKING TO DEFEAT PROPOSITION 15: HOW YOU CAN HELP

by CCA Vice President of Government Affairs Kirk Wilbur

In the July/August edition of California Cattleman, CCA outlined some of the threats posed by the “split roll” initiative appearing on the November General Election ballot (“Taxes Could Take a Big Hike: November Split Roll Initiative Poses Threats to Agriculture”). Election officials have since announced that the split roll initiative will appear on the ballot as Proposition 15.

To recap, 1978’s Proposition 13 dictated that property taxes for residential and business property are calculated based on 1 percent of the property’s purchase price, with annual property tax increases capped at 2 percent. Under Proposition 15, commercial and industrial properties would be removed from Proposition 13’s protections and be reassessed at current market value every three years— increasing property taxes statewide by as much as $12 billion annually.

While the proponents of the split roll (and indeed the official summary for the proposition) claim that “agricultural properties” are “exempt” from this property tax hike, this claim is intentionally misleading. The proponents acknowledge that “Commercial or industrial structures on agricultural land would be taxed at market value,” including barns, feedlots, methane digesters and other improvements on agricultural lands.

What’s more, voters in November may be duped into supporting Proposition 15: the official ballot summary authored by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra

mentions nothing of the significant tax increase spurred by the Proposition—or the consequences of those tax hikes—only that it “Increases funding for public schools, community colleges, and local government services by changing tax assessment of commercial and industrial property.” That Proposition 15 is “changing” tax assessment is putting it lightly.

To defeat Proposition 15, CCA has joined the “No On Prop 15” Coalition (which, as of press time, counts nearly 300 organizations among its ranks) and is working hard to educate the public on the devastating effects of Proposition 15. Below is a summary of CCA’s efforts in opposition to Proposition 15 and what you can do to help defeat the $12 billion tax increase.

CCA’s Efforts to Defeat Proposition 15

Polling has shown that California voters look favorably to farmers and ranchers as trusted messengers about the impacts of Proposition 15. In light of this fact, CCA is working with the No On Prop 15 coalition to amplify ranchers’ voices in opposition to Proposition 15.

CCA has been working to draft editorials in opposition to Proposition 15 and get them placed in priority publications. While these editorials address the devastating impacts that Proposition 15 could have for

...CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

farmers and ranchers, the real focus is on the repercussions the Proposition could have for average Californians. For instance, CCA has sought to highlight the fact that increased costs for farmers and ranchers will be passed along to consumers during a time when most Californians can least afford it due to the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Given Californians’ views on environmental sustainability, CCA is also highlighting Proposition 15’s impact on environmental stewardship efforts. For instance, under Proposition 15 dairy methane digesters and solar panels would be taxed at a higher rate, effectively punishing ranchers for developing environmentally friendly improvements upon their lands and disincentivizing further adoption of these technologies on working lands.

CCA has also sought to highlight that Proposition 15 could spur development of the open space Californians hold so dear. Proposition 15 gives local governments an incentive to rezone lands away from agricultural use in favor of more commercial uses in order to increase their tax base. Moreover, the substantially higher tax bills for farmers and ranchers may force some producers to make the tough choice to sell off their land to developers.

With our social media presence on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@calcattlemen on all three platforms), we are also working to amplify the No On Prop 15 coalition’s messaging in opposition to the split roll initiative. If you follow CCA on social media, you’ve probably seen some of this messaging in recent days.

Our county affiliates are joining the fight, as well. The Alameda County CattleWomen, for instance, have been spearheading a local No on Prop 15 campaign, and along with the Contra Costa/Alameda County Cattlemen, have been developing campaign materials against Proposition 15.

How You Can Help Defeat Proposition 15

The easiest step you can take to defeat Proposition 15, of course, is to vote NO on your ballot this November, and to encourage your family and friends to do the same.

But to ensure that Proposition 15 goes 14 California Cattleman September2020 down in defeat, CCA encourages members to take an active role in educating voters about the ills of the split roll initiative by visiting the No On Prop 15 website at https:// noonprop15.org/take-action/.

The No On Prop 15 campaign’s website has a number of tools for CCA members to help defeat Proposition 15, including: • Sample social media posts and other tools for utilizing your social media platforms to speak out against the tax hike; • A guide for writing letters to the editor to your local publications; • A guide for creating a social media “selfie video” explaining why you believe Proposition 15 must be defeated (the campaign will even edit it for you!); • And much more.

Additionally, you can do your part by amplifying the No On Prop 15 coalition’s voice on social media. Follow the No On Prop 15 campaign (@NoOnProp15 on Facebook and Twitter) and like, share and retweet their posts to your own followers to get the word out about the flaws of Proposition 15. Likewise, amplify CCA’s social media messages about Proposition 15 when they come across your feed. (If you post on social media, feel free to tag @ calcattlemen, and please share any letters to the editor you may get published in your local newspapers with CCA staff!)

Over the coming months, CCA will be doing a fullcourt press to defeat Proposition 15. Stay tuned to California Cattleman, Hot Irons and Legislative Bulletin for news on our latest efforts and remember to vote NO on Proposition 15 on November 3!