HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESO 4672. . •.. _ • • ORIGINAL
RESOLUTION NO. __ 4 _6 _7 z_
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO
OPPOSING PROPOSITION 14, AN INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL
AMENDMENT CONCERNING TAX RATE LIMITATIONS (THE WATSON
INITIATIVE)
WHEREAS, Proposition 14, an Initiative Constitutional Amendment commonly knowri
as ·~_The Watson Initiative," will be on the ballot for the California State General Election in
November of 1972; and
WHEREAS, Proposition 14 in its essential part would add a new section to the
Constitution of the State of California limiting property tax in the State to a set percentage
of the market value of such property for nearly all purposes; and
WHEREAS, Proposition 14 thereby is alleged to provide property tax relief for tbe
homeowner and renter, a worthy goal in theory; and
WHEREAS, 1\-oposition 14 in fact will not provide overall tax relief for homeowners
and renters but rather will effectively shift the major portion of the tax burden from the local
property tax (75% of which is paid by business and inc.ome-producing properties) to the sales
tax and income tax (more than 66% of which is paid by renten and homeowners); and
WHEREAS. Proposition 14 will severely weaken local self-government by lessening the
ability of cities, counties, schools, and special districts to adequately finance basic and fundamental
services and facilities, thereby curtailing the control of local government and citizens over the
local level of services; and
WHEREAS, by freezing critically restrictive requirements into the State Constitution,
ProposUion 14 also will cripple the ability of the State Legislature to deal effectively with revenue
and taxation matters; and
WHEREAS, Proposition 14 will produce a chaoti<" situation threatening to disrupt,
diminish, or eliminate on-going local activities as well as hindering orderly lona-tenn development;
and
WHEREAS, Proposition 14 is opposed by such responS1."ble and respected individuals
and organizations as Governor Ronald Reagan, the California Te.achers Association, the California
School Boards Association, the California Congress of Parents and Teachers, the California Labor
Federation AFL-CIO, the California State Chamber of Commerce, the League of California Cities,
and the County Supervisors Association of California; and
WHEREAS, the laudable objectives of Proposition 14 in fact could be achieved without
the above-mentioned advene effects by more carefully oonceived legislation;
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NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto does RESOLVE as follows:
SECTION 1. The Council of the City of Palo Alto hereby does most vigorously oppose
Proposition 14 and urges its defeat in November of 1972.
SECTION 2. The Clerk of the City of Palo Alto hereby is directed to transmit copies
of tltis resolution to the Governor of the State of California, the President Pro T~m of the State
Senate, the Speaker of the State Assembly, State Senator Clark L. Bradley, State Senator Alfred
Alquist, State Assemblyman Richard Hayden, State Assemblyman John Vasconcellos, and the
l.eagu~ of California Cities.
INTRODUCED & PASSED: October Z4, 1972
AYES: UNANThiOUS
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
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ATTEST: {j _ afr1'-9-~'L
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