Local Government

* Your Oct. 27 editorial, “Taxes: a State of Confusion,” is right on the mark. The recent decision by a Superior Court judge in Sonoma County, that the transfer by the state of local property taxes to the schools was illegal, is a step forward in regaining “home rule” for cities and counties in California. However, until there is significant overhaul and reform of Prop. 13, cities, counties and special districts will be at the mercy of the state.

Prop. 13 should be reformed to provide the same benefits to homeowners who bought their homes after 1976, which would equalize their tax burden with those who had purchased their homes prior to 1976.

Commercial and industrial properties should be reassessed periodically, rather than when they are sold, because homeowners are bearing a greater share of the property tax burden, as homes are sold more frequently than commercial and industrial properties.

Restoring power to cities and counties to tax for local needs will give local elected officials the ability to solve local problems. These reforms will bring back “home rule” and the accountability of local elected officials for solving local problems.

Having been a local elected official before and after Prop. 13, I can personally attest to the loss of “home rule” and Prop. 13’s adverse consequences to governing in a responsible way after its passage.

ED EDELMAN

Rand Senior Fellow in Public Policy

Santa Monica