Former CAGOP Chairman, Taxpayers Assoc. Employee Mislead Voters on Prop. 19

Calling themselves “taxpayer advocates,” former Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association Legislative Director David Wolfe, and former California Republican Party Chairman Jim Brulte have a radio spot running telling voters to vote YES on Proposition 19.

David Wolfe is a former employee of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. Because he wanted to pursue tax increases, he is no longer employed with the HJTA, the Globe has learned.

Wolfe was hired by the California Association of Realtors for this campaign. CAR supports Prop. 19.

Proposition 19, the Property Tax Transfers, Exemptions, and Revenue for Wildfire Agencies and Counties Amendment, says in the ballot argument, “Tax Savings and Housing Relief for SENIORS, WILDFIRE VICTIMS, and PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. Proposition 19 protects vulnerable Californians, closes unfair tax loopholes, and generates needed revenue for fire protection and emergency medical response.”

California Globe analysis reported that this is a billion dollar tax increase on California families. Prop. 19 potentially raises property taxes for your kids when they inherit your home. It makes property tax protections more portable but less heritable, according to Assemblyman Kevin Kiley (R-Rocklin).

For many families, the family home is the largest asset, so saddling your kids with higher property taxes makes the inheritance a burden.

The radio ad is particularly devious as Wolfe leads listeners to believe he is advocating for the tax increase as “Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association former legislative director.” He doesn’t say he is no longer employed by the HJTA.

The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association reports they are receiving non-stop calls from voters who say they are disgusted by the misleading radio ads and large direct mail pieces.

Apparently the California Association of Realtors hired David Wolfe for the sole purpose of using his former employer’s name to confuse the voters, as they have used his former job title in the voter guide, direct mail and television and radio advertisements.

David Wolfe shoud be identified as a paid spokesman for the California Association of Realtors.

Jon Coupal, President of Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, describes Prop. 19 as “a big juicy steak laced with cyanide.”

The California Legislative Analyst’s Office says Prop. 19 is a big tax increase “of hundreds of millions of dollars per year.”

The Globe used the HJTA analysis for our ballot initiative rundown:

HJTA: Why we’re against it
Proposition 19 takes away important taxpayer protections that have been enshrined in the State Constitution since 1986. That’s when 76% of voters approved Proposition 58 to allow parents to transfer a home and limited other property to their children without an increase in property taxes. Proposition 19 eliminates Proposition 58 and a similar measure, Proposition 193, which gives the same protection to transfers between grandparents and grandchildren if the children’s parents are deceased. Proposition 19 would require property transferred within families to be reassessed to market value as of the date of transfer, resulting in a huge property tax increase for long-held family homes. The only exception is if the children move into the home within a year and make it their principal residence. This is a billion-dollar tax increase on California families. Proposition 19 contains other provisions, which HJTA has supported in the past, to expand the opportunities for older homeowners to transfer the base-year value of their home (under Prop. 13) to a replacement home. This was on the ballot in November 2018 as Proposition 5, but voters rejected it. Now, with a massive tax increase added, the price is too high. HJTA opposes this measure. VOTE NO ON PROPOSITION 19.

Prop. 19 is supported by Gov. Gavin Newsom, Senate President Toni Atkins, State Controller Betty Yee, State Treasurer Fiona Ma, and myriad labor unions.

Opponents include, ACLU of Southern California, Family Business Association of California, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, League of Women Voters of California, proving once again, politics makes strange bedfellows.