Challenges to Proposition 13

It’s “Shoot-out at the OK Corral” (again) with a “Legal Showdown Likely for Prop. 13” (Part A, Nov. 27).

As Yogi Berra said, “It’s deja vu all over again.” For the elitist proponents of max property taxes--for max revenue, for max redistribution of wealth (read property)--are at it, again. And if they have their way--as they did before Prop. 13--the property-owning middle class will become an endangered species.

As a homeowner and former elected official (mayor pro-tem, Culver City) who notes that cities have done well despite Prop. 13, I would suggest some amelioration of tax disparities could be effected by increasing the homeowners exemption to 10% or 20% for properties purchased since 1978. This has not been upped since 1973, when it was changed to its current level ($7,000) in a vain attempt to dissuade voters to say nay to Prop. 13.

Prop. 13 is imperfect, but came about because the Legislature was letting people who owned property literally go to the wall.

The effect of changing Prop. 13 to get rid of “inequities” on property values should be considered. Prices, discounted now by the market to reflect relative higher taxes between properties based on date of purchase, are quite high enough, thank you, without adding fuel to that fire. Moreover, these higher property taxes are the chief tax deduction for most homeowners, and their reduction to parity with properties having 1975 values (per Prop. 13) would be a wipeout for local government but a windfall for the Feds.

As the former vice chairman of a municipal redevelopment agency, I would suggest that it might be better to sacrifice the state redevelopment law rather than Prop. 13.

JOHN CARL BROGDON

Culver City