Talking Points from the FAQ: How to Address Myths & Pushback

[Rishi Kumar]

FAQ1: Does this initiative change or weaken Proposition 13?

RESPONSE: Ballot Initiative 25-0035 does NOT eliminate or change Proposition 13.
Prop 13 remains fully intact — including the 1% tax cap and annual assessment limits. What this initiative proposes is an additional exemption layer for eligible homeowners age 60+ on their primary residence. That means:
✔️ Prop 13 protections stay exactly the same
✔️ Property-tax rules under Prop 13 are unchanged
✔️ The initiative simply adds extra relief — similar to how California already provides exemptions for disabled veterans or homeowners
In California, exemptions are common and are administered on top of Prop 13 — not instead of it. We encourage everyone to review the full language and FAQ before drawing conclusions.

FAQ2:  Prop 13 reduced funding for schools and local government. This new property tax exemption for the 60+ will reduce funding too?
RESPONSE: Despite claims that Prop 13 reduced funding, statewide property-tax revenue rose dramatically:
Late 1970s: roughly $6–7 billion per year (when Prop 13 was passed)
Early 80s: right after Prop 13 passed in 1978, property-tax revenue fell in the short term
1990s: Property tax went up to $20 billion+
2010s: about $50–60 billion
Today: well over $90–100 billion annually

FAQ3:Prop 13 protection has helped seniors, but why do seniors continue to struggle?
What many reports don’t capture is the human cost of rising property taxes — including foreclosures among retirees on fixed incomes. Examples seen in other states show bank repossessions and neglected homes tied to seniors who could no longer keep up with taxes, not mortgages. In high-cost regions like the Bay Area, annual property tax bills of $18,000–$30,000 can push longtime residents toward displacement, even under Prop 13 protections.The concern is that rising tax burdens — especially for retirees — may quietly drive foreclosures, out-migration, and financial stress that traditional fiscal models fail to measure. That's why this exemption plan is critical!

FAQ4: What about the fiscal impact of such a tax exemption?
RESPONSE: Bear in mind, the California establishment media and those in power consistently support expanding government and union jobs and raising taxes, but have shown very little interest in making existing government operations more efficient. Now, let's dissect the fiscal impact...

Sacramento’s Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) conducted the fiscal analysis and projected a potential $12–$20 billion reduction in property tax revenue. Even at that level, it represents a relatively small share of California’s roughly $100 billion annual property tax base and $350 billion total state budget. However, we do not agree with the LAO’s conclusions — and here’s why:
The LAO estimate relies on static, worst-case assumptions that don’t reflect real-world behavior, economic feedback, or natural eligibility limits among seniors. It presents raw revenue impacts without proper context against California’s $350B budget, $100B property-tax base, or normal budget volatility. The analysis also overlooks offsetting savings from preventing senior displacement, homelessness programs, and fails to account for efficiencies from technology and AI-driven government optimization. In short, it models cost — but not outcomes, savings, or real-world dynamics. Please review the (financial view) op-ed piece on our website exemptpropertytax.com for our complete statement.

FAQ4: Why isn't Sacramento talking about fiscal impacts of the billions in waste?
RESPONSE: Why are we paying more taxes while billions go to waste? Here's a CBS report on Sacramento's failures to follow through on audit reports.
$20B+ lost to unemployment fraud, 
$20B+ homelessness spending without accountability,
📄300+ audit fixes still unresolved — lawmakers failed to act on 3 out of 4 recommendations.
These were problems already identified, yet Sacramento keeps talking about new taxes.
👉 Before asking Californians to pay more, Sacramento must show it can manage resources responsibly.
Cutting waste, restoring oversight, and bringing fiscal discipline back to government should come first.
Call to Action to correct California's course: 
🚫 No more tax increases until waste is fixed.
🔎 Act on outstanding audit recommendations first.
✂️ Cut fraud, duplication, and broken programs before asking taxpayers to pay more.
⚖️ Accountability first — taxes later.

Here's an op-ed piece that will shed some light on what's going on. 
Schools will not lose funding. California schools are protected by Proposition 98 funding guarantees. When local property tax revenue changes, the state backfills funding through the General Fund. Parcel taxes, bonds, and voter-approved assessments remain unchanged. And property tax will continue to rise - not shrink - clearly demonstrated by the Prop 13 historical view.

Visit our website for the FAQ

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California Property Tax Exemption CA2026 
https://exemptpropertytax.com <— Sign the Petition
Donate to our Ballot Initiative 25-0035 campaign, Proponent Rishi Kumar Phone: (408) 805-5993 
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It's time to exempt the 60+ age group from property tax payments. Let's get it done! 

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