A Catastrophe for Our Local Governments – If We Don’t Stop It
The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association is supporting a new Taxpayer Deception Act for the November 2026 election. This new Taxpayer Deception Act is just as bad as the one put forward in 2024, if not worse. This ballot measure would make it virtually impossible for us to raise money for our schools and communities, imposing a requirement that any new taxes pass with a two thirds supermajority. This will debilitate our funding for public schools and public services, taking everything harmful about Proposition 13 and making it even worse. It would also repeal any taxes passed with less than a two thirds supermajority, wiping out millions of dollars in funding across California.
For example, in San Francisco, which is already facing a $600 million deficit, the Local Taxpayer Deception Act could cost the city $300 million every single year. This would lead to cuts to funding for education and other essential public services. We stopped the HJTA in 2024, and we can do it again. The original Taxpayer Deception Act was stopped in its tracks without ever moving to a vote. This new Local Taxpayer Deception Act will be just as catastrophic for our schools and local governments, but we have the power to stop it through grassroots organizing.
Jessica Christian/S.F. Chronicle
By Alyce McFadden | San Francisco Chronicle | June 17, 2026
