Proposition 13

January 30, 2023

It’s time for an honest conversation about California’s structural budget problems

The Golden State should reform Proposition 13 for the sake of long-term revenue stability and reliable school funding.

Patrick Murphy and Erin Heys

July 7, 2022

How Prop 13 widened the wealth and education gap in California

A new analysis concludes that Prop 13 contributed to a widening wealth gap and – for decades – inadequate funding for public schools.

EdSource staff

June 22, 2022

California Prop. 13’s 'unjust legacy' detailed in critical study

Study recommends no specific fix to 1978 property tax limit initiative, but the Opportunity Institute and Pivot Learning cite many reasons to consider reforms.

John Fensterwald

November 11, 2020

Defeat of Prop. 15 to raise commercial property taxes denies schools more revenue

The first major challenge to Prop. 13’s limit on property taxes would have provided an estimated $2.5 billion to $4.5 billion annually for K-12 schools and community colleges.

John Fensterwald

November 6, 2020

Election post-mortem on Props 15 & 16, taxes and affirmative action

This week, we delve into results of Props 15 & 16 and speculate on a Biden presidency with USC's Pedro Noguerra, union President Jeff Freitas, LA Partnership's Ryan Smith.

EdSource staff

November 3, 2020

California’s Proposition 15, to raise commercial property taxes, in tight race

The first effort in 42 years to change Prop. 13 would provide $2.6 billion to $4.6 billion for K-12 schools and community colleges.

John Fensterwald

October 2, 2020

Drilling down on Prop. 15; treating wildfires' trauma on children

This week: opposite views on Prop. 15, an initiative to raise commercial property taxes, and a look at wildfires' lingering trauma on kids.

EdSource staff

September 30, 2020

Quick Guide: Proposition 15, the proposed ‘split-roll’ tax on commercial property, defeated

Big corporate property owners would pay the bulk of new taxes; opponents claim costs would be borne by small business renters.

John Fensterwald

March 11, 2020

All but final: California voters reject $15 billion state school bond

One week after the March 3 election, Proposition 13 remains behind 46 to 54 percent, which appears too big a gap to make up.

John Fensterwald

March 5, 2020

Post-Prop. 13: Why a likely winner may end up California election’s big loser

Several factors — confusion with a more famous 13, tax fatigue, anxiety over the stock market — may have led to the measure’s likely defeat.

John Fensterwald

March 2, 2020

‘13’ could be unlucky number for school construction measure on California ballot 

Prop. 13 on the March 2020 ballot will create confusion among some voters. And confusion is likely to add to the “no” vote total.

Louis Freedberg

January 31, 2020

Quick Guide: What California voters need to know about proposed $15 billion school construction bond

The state bond will underwrite some construction costs of schools and universities, with extra help for low-income districts.

John Fensterwald

December 5, 2019

California School Boards Association abandons plan to put $15 billion tax on 2020 ballot

To avoid competing tax initiatives benefiting education on the same statewide ballot, it eyes 2022 instead.

John Fensterwald

November 19, 2019

Support for school construction bond falls below 50 percent in new poll

If there is confusion over the ballot designation Prop. 13, bond backers say not to worry; the campaign for March measure has yet to begin.

John Fensterwald

November 7, 2019

For better or worse, school construction bond on March 2020 ballot will be Prop. 13

Backers and opponents of a $15 billion K-12 and college construction bond are wondering if association with infamous Prop. 13 will affect the vote.

John Fensterwald