An open letter to Mullin regarding Proposition 19

Jan 8, 2026
Jan 8, 2026 Updated Jan 13, 2026
9

Editor,

As the author of Proposition 19, you/it did more than change tax policy — you rewrote the fate of California families at the moment they are most vulnerable.

(9) comments

Terence Y Jan 8, 2026 8:16am

Thanks for your letter, Mr. Lawrence, but the call to action should focus on adding a ballot measure to rescind Proposition 19 instead of counting on Mr. Mullin to do anything. Getting a proposition on the ballot won’t be easy. I’m betting Democrats will find an activist judge saying voters aren’t allowed to put this ballot measure to the public.

The bottom line is to follow the money. When parents die, the state receives capital gains taxes from the selling of the home and the state receives more property taxes on the increased home value assessment to the new buyer. There’s no incentive for the state to decrease home values and there’s no incentive to allow children to keep homes in families for year and years. There’s more incentive to increase turnover. By any means necessary as there’s plenty of money to be made by taxing folks coming and going. Why would the state give that up? They have ever-increasing union salaries, pensions, and benefits to pay, including their own.

joebob91 Jan 8, 2026 9:50am

What is the justification for one property owner paying less tax than another? I don't understand why one owner of a $2 million house should pay $30K/year in taxes and another $5K/year.

Dirk van Ulden Jan 8, 2026 6:12pm

joebob - look at the tax rolls. Over time, as houses are sold and reassessed, it comes out in the wash. Any form of control over taxation should be praised instead of badgered. Like many other millions in the County, if we had not passed Prop 13, many of our homes would have been reassessed, and that would have forced us out. Since my purchase in 1979, 99% of the houses on our street have been sold, sometimes more than once. They are reassessed every times at prevailing value so don't cry for the tax collector. This county is flush with money, don't ever believe them when they cry for more.

Terence Y Jan 9, 2026 8:48am

Hey joebob91, there’s no law forcing anyone to buy a home, which means that when buyers fork out the cash for a home, they’re well aware of the property tax conditions of buying that home. For those who don’t like it, they’re free to sell their home and in this market, I’m sure others will buy, regardless of whether they pay $30K/year in taxes. As for not understanding, I don’t understand why advocates for bicycle lanes don’t pay anything for bicycle infrastructure yet insist that car drivers pay for dedicated (and discriminatory) bicycle lanes. BTW, for those who don’t feel their property taxes are high enough, please donate more money to the state. But will anyone? I highly doubt it.

Lou Jan 8, 2026 10:29am

There is a movement to abolish property taxes in California (which amount to approximately $98-100billion annual), with a consumption tax. (sales tax added on to existing sales tax) of approx. 3-4%. To replace about $100 billion in property taxes, the state would therefore need approximately 3.3–4.% additional percentage points of sales tax on that same base (100 ÷ 25–30 ≈ 3.3–4.0). This would be more fair than huge property taxes for some and none or next to none for others. People would have a choice. If they don't want to pay the tax, don't buy the item. In my case I would be paying about one tenth annual (1/10th) of the tax that I now pay in property tax. This also would help senior citizens who are near being taxed out of their homes, and have paid egregious taxes (50% of property taxes go for schools) for decades to support others.

Dirk van Ulden Jan 8, 2026 6:03pm

Lou - I would be firmly opposed to such a tax. It is called a Value Added Tax, VAT which is assessed on all products and services, including medication, groceries, utilities, entertainment, and whatever the consumer spends. In the Netherlands the VAT was capped originally at 5%. Unlike our Prop 13 protection, they are now paying 22% extra on everything. It is a cash cow and they can't seem to keep it under control. Let that be a warning.

easygerd Jan 9, 2026 10:33am

Dirk, isn't the real question: "how much do the Dutch pay for a EUR 500,000 home in property taxes?"

... and the answer would probably be: "only a few hundred dollars"

and still the quality of that house itself, the quality of public services, the quality of public transportation, the quality of bike and walk infrastructure, the quality of healthcare, the quality of law enforcement, etc. would still be much higher.

Dirk van Ulden Jan 9, 2026 1:14pm

You are correct. They don't call them property taxes but there is an annual assessment that cranks in the public services that are provided, such as sewer, water, garbage, street cleaning, police and firefighting. Homeowners get a monthly bill which is, as with all other invoices, mandatorily deducted from one's bank account. Paper checks or even electronic checks do not exist. On the other hand, while primary and secondary education is almost free, everything else is taxed to the hilt. Their healthcare is selective and also restricted by age. There is spotty dental care (observe their teeth), no vision care and no auditory care; all of hose are paid for by the patient through private insurance. In summary, if one is living at the affordable, above poverty level, it is better in the Netherlands for the average Joe. But Americans would not put up with the regulations, housing restrictions, few options to get ahead and an education system that does not accommodate late bloomers. Ask Americans what they experienced if they have lived there for a while. Except for some greeny freaks, they are glad to be back here, although it was overall a positive sojourn. BTW, the e-bike cascade is turning bucolic The Netherlands upside down.

jwentworth Jan 9, 2026 1:52pm

Mr. Lawrence,

Thank you for your letter to Congressman Mullin regarding property taxes. I am 74 years old and, in 2021, inherited my mother's home and a commercial property. The County levied a "Supplemental" tax (additional tax bills issued), an "Escape" tax (a "correction"), and the Annual tax at the assessed value.

The Supplemental and Escape taxes were punitive and exploitative. The total for Supplemental Tax was $39,000, and the total for Escape Tax was $51,000. The Annual Tax for my mother’s home was increased to $22,000, and the commercial property tax to $30,000.

Being required to pay $142,000 for 2021-2022 property taxes is unjust. In my opinion, this is a corrupt, improper, and unethical treatment of taxpayers, designed to take advantage of them.

Thank you for your appeal to Congressman Mullin for corrective legislation and inheritance protections.

Jackie Wentworth

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