California Rules on Taxpayer Protection Act

The Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act (TPA) campaign issued the following statement from Rob Lapsley, president of the California Business Roundtable, Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and Matthew Hargrove, president and CEO of the California Business Properties Association:

“Today’s ruling is the greatest threat to democracy California has faced in recent memory. Governor Newsom has effectively erased the voice of 1.43 million voters who signed the petition to qualify the Taxpayer Protection Act for the November ballot. Most importantly, the governor has cynically terminated Californians’ rights to engage in direct democracy despite his many claims that he is a defender of individual rights and democracy. Evidently, the governor wants to protect democracy and individual rights in other states, but not for all Californians...

...We are disappointed that the California Supreme Court has put politics ahead of the Constitution, disregarding long-standing precedent that they should not intervene in an election before voters decide qualified initiatives...

...Direct democracy and our initiative process are now at risk with this decision, showing California is firmly a one-party state where the governor and Legislature can politically influence courts to block ballot measures that threaten their ability to increase spending and raise taxes. Using the courts to block voters’ voices is the latest effort from the Democrats’ supermajority to remove any accountability measures that interfere with their agenda – a failed agenda that continues to drive up the cost of living with little accountability and few results... 

...This ruling sends a damning message to businesses in California and across the country that it is politically perilous to invest and grow jobs for the future.  

In light of this ruling and the state's large budget deficit, a huge amount of tax increases are on the way that are sure to make California's cost of living even higher...

...We will continue to explore our legal options and fight for the people’s right to hold their government accountable through direct democracy.”

Ross Hutchings, Executive Director of the California Self Storage Association (CSSA), added:

“CSSA has been a strong partner with the Californians for Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability. We felt that if the TPA proposition was on the November ballot, it would have passed. This would have returned the vote back to the people regarding increasing taxes and fees. It would have preserved Prop. 13...

...We know that with TPA now taken off the ballot, local municipalities will be emboldened to go after additional revenue from businesses. Although we are disappointed, we will continue to be vigilant in our fight to keep the self storage industry profitable and serving our communities."

About Californians for Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability

Californians for Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability is a bipartisan coalition of homeowners, taxpayers, and businesses committed to ensuring California remains affordable for families and accountable to its voters. For more information, visit www.taxpayerprotection.com.