Challenge to Proposition 13

The article (June 30) on Stephanie Nordlinger’s challenge to Proposition 13 and the Los Angeles County assessment policy raises some timely issues.

As an attorney, Nordlinger’s fairness attack on the Proposition 13 limits and tax guidelines is totally misdirected. And, if she had closely read Proposition 13, her intelligence would redirect her challenges to the codes and policies that have been written and implemented by the state Legislature and the bureaucrats. Since Proposition 13 in 1978, the entire California government revenue policy has been to maximize all revenues by any loophole found in Proposition 13.

The issue of paying more than her neighbor for property-related services is brought forth by Nordlinger. If she delved into where her property taxes really go she would find that over 70% of the property tax levy goes to fund social services, i.e., welfare, hospitals, jails, criminal justice, and schools. Many cities fund property services such as police, street sweeping, parks and fire protection with little or no dependence on property taxes.

As the authors, sponsors and campaigners for Proposition 13, the United Organization of Taxpayers Inc., we take the following position:

* Since aggregate property tax collections statewide continue to increase at twice the rate of other taxes (income and sales), the Legislature should index all property assessments back to the 1978 base and use the consumer price index for any adjustments when ownership changes.

* All building fees and onetime government assessments on homes should be deducted from the assessment bases of those properties. Thus, the $20,000 to $30,000 in fees on new homes would not be taxed on a “tax”--adding additional burdens and unfairness on new home buyers.

* And the antiquated $7,000 homeowner’s exemption should be changed and updated to 25% of the value as shown on the assessment roll.

Nordlinger’s argument for discretionary action by government to rewrite state tax laws (to aid the disabled or aged) can be done now--for everyone. Proposition 13 allows this and is not the culprit.

ERNEST DYNDA, President, United Organizations of Taxpayers, Agoura Hills