It’s No Secret That Californians Are Being Over-Taxed…But, Here’s the Answer!

Support the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act

It is no secret that California has an affordability crisis, and it’s only getting worse. At a time when inflation and global uncertainty are threatening to drive costs even higher, increases in taxes and fees are only fueling the state’s already sky-high cost of living.

Over taxation is punishing hard-working families who struggle to put food on their table or fill up a tank of gas. And yet, politicians and special interests continue to make it harder for Californians to make ends meet. Despite a $46 billion surplus, since 2021 $334 billion in new and higher taxes have been proposed here in California (and who knows how much more in new fees have been assessed).

All the while, we continue to drive on the worst roads in the nation, our public schools are ranked among the worst in the country and a lack of affordable housing and homelessness are overwhelming our communities — leaving residents to wonder where all their tax dollars are being spent.  Too often voters are deceived and lied to about higher taxes, hidden fees and receive zero accountability that their tax dollars are actually being spent where promised.

The solution? It’s simple: the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act (TP+GAA) — a proposed statewide ballot measure that would give voters’ the final say on all new tax increases and allow taxpayers to protect themselves from special interests who fear losing control and power over the taxes we pay.

What Specifically Does TP+GAA Do?

The Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act is a simple measure that gives voters the right to vote on new and higher taxes and ensures that tax dollars are spent where they were promised. Here is how:

Gives voters the final say on all new and higher taxes

• • Requires all new taxes passed by the Legislature to be approved by voters.
  • Prevents bureaucrats from imposing new or higher fees without majority approval from elected officials.

Requires all new taxes to designate a use, rate and duration

• • Ensures the tax rate and length of time a new or higher tax will be in effect is listed on the ballot.
  • Restricts fees for government services to their reasonable actual cost. *Meaning no more “bait-and-switch” tactics where tax revenue is “promised” to public safety, roads or schools but is later diverted and spent on whatever pet projects politicians want.*

Closes loopholes

• • Clearly defines what is a tax or fee — addressing recent court decisions that overturned decades of established taxpayer protections.
  • Restores the will of the voters when they passed Proposition 218 (1996) and Proposition 26 (2010) by reinstating two-thirds voter approval for all new local special tax increases.
    • Does not impact general tax increases, which still require a majority vote for passage

Maintains current revenue and spending

• • All revenue, fees and other charges in effect as of January 1, 2022, are not affected — ensuring current revenue and spending are protected.

With families across California struggling to make ends meet and the cost of living continuing to skyrocket, it is long past time voters were given the right to vote on all new taxes.  The Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act simply gives hard-working Californians the right to vote on whether or not to raise taxes and ensures tax dollars are actually spent where promised, all while maintaining current revenue and spending.

Visit www.taxpayerprotection.com for more information or to join the coalition to protect taxpayers and hold the government accountable!