Proposition 43
Coverage of Proposition 43 in the Nexus archive.
- Minority rule in California? How Proposition 43 would tie the hands of local governments
Proposition 43 would raise the threshold for local tax measures from a simple majority to two-thirds, enabling minority rule by potentially complicating how local governments fund services. Opponents argue this change could significantly hinder the ability of local governments to fund vital functions like public safety and emergency services in areas such as Sonoma County.
- California courts muddied tax rules set by voters. Proposition 43 cleans up their mistake
California voters will decide on Proposition 43 to restore the two-thirds vote requirement for local special taxes, a rule established by constitutional amendments like Proposition 13 in 1978. Anti-tax advocates claim that courts have weakened this constitutional mandate, enabling tax increases (like L.A. County’s Measure A) that failed to meet the required percentage. Conversely, critics argue that Prop 43 could enable minority rule and make it harder for local governments to fund vital services.