Lawmakers Urge Keeping Williamson Act
A bipartisan group of 30 lawmakers urged their colleagues last week to reject Gov. Gray Davis’ plan to stop compensating counties that give property tax breaks to growers who agree to keep their land in agriculture for at least 10 years.
The 18 Democrats and 12 Republicans said the Williamson Act program has “offered an innovative approach to agriculture and open space land protection for nearly 40 years.”
The Williamson Act, passed in 1965, provides for lower property taxes for owners who sign contracts to keep their land as agricultural land, wildlife habitat, recreation sites or open space for at least 10 years. The property is assessed based on its current usage instead of its potential value if developed for commercial or residential use.
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