Violating the Spirit of Prop. 13

By implementing a maintenance assessment district (Times, Sept. 15), the Whittier Union High School District board has denied residents the right to vote on increased property-tax liability.

As a republic, we have given representatives some power to levy taxes. I do not believe any board of trustees was consciously given that power by the voting public.

In 1978, by passing a measure titled Proposition 13, the people of California expressed dissatisfaction with former taxing policies. Proposition 13 placed specific limits on the amount of taxes assessed on property, or the type of taxes that could be enacted without a vote of the people.

It appears that requirements set forth by Proposition 13 have been violated. Fortunately, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn. has filed suit to challenge the school district.

With increases in taxes from all sides, excessive taxation has become an anti-family policy. Breadwinners must spend more time on the job earning. Relationships with children and spouses suffer. A single parent has no choice but to work longer hours away from her children to pay for the increased tax liability--taxes that pay for better bleachers, greener lawns, lighting and maintenance costs.

The Whittier Union board will argue: “It’s only $20 more a year--that’s not much.” We contend that $20 is added to increases in the sales tax, gas tax, licensing fees, trash tax, phone tax, and so on. Enough is enough!

What do the elderly do? Those on fixed incomes? Do they lose their homes?

Anti-family, anti-senior citizen tax policies are counterproductive. We badly need the family unit together so that children have some protection from gangs and drugs. We need the wisdom and foundation that the senior citizen brings into our community. We need to send to our school boards the message that, “We have certain rights you must respect.”

THOMAS J. BORGOGNA

Chairman, Santa Fe Springs/Whittier Coalition for Democracy