Challenge to Proposition 13
Nordlinger’s quest to have the U.S. Supreme Court overturn Proposition 13 reminds me of the foolhardy people who insist on riding their motorcycles without a helmet. As she is slowly being taxed out of her house, she will voice the lament of the quadriplegic--”If only I had known!”
Her contention that the assessment of all residential property at current market value will result in tax rates far below the 1% rate is unbelievable. The rates will rise to the limit and those with moderate incomes will soon be taxed from their homes. Math is math. When your assessed property value goes up 400%, your property tax goes up 400%. Has your income increased 400% since Proposition 13 became law?
No change to Proposition 13 can be tolerated until property taxes are limited to a percentage of one’s income. This can only happen with a constitutional amendment approved by the voters--not by some shortsighted jerk who doesn’t want to wait for the benefits of Proposition 13 to keep her property taxes manageable.
MIKE STAFFORD, Los Angeles
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