Re-level the playing field tilted by Prop 13
Owning a home provides immeasurable security to families and people of all ages. The property taxes paid by homeowners go to support social services, local governments, and in California 40% of the revenue goes to public schools.
In an ideal world, everyone can reap the benefits of this system as they go through the different stages of life, from student, to renter, to homeowner and retirees.
Proposition 13 unbalances the equation, giving homeowners an unfair share of the benefits. One of the reasons the generations before us were able to buy homes was that the social infrastructure created economic mobility. With these programs cut and underfunded, it is looking grim for this generation of prospective home owners.
Instead of stifling funds that have always been important to creating prosperous communities, we should instead collectively ask why corporations aren’t paying their fair share, and why investment companies are allowed to own homes at all.
Instead of clinging to low property taxes that stifle the growth of our community, we should inspect, investigate and implement ways to build up our neighbors and future generations.
George Brich/AP
Letters: Re-level the playing field tilted by Prop 13
By Alex Cullins | The San Francisco Chronicle | January 2nd, 2026