Another key endorsement for the Schools & Communities First initiative after recent polling showed that 58% of Californians support the measure

The leader of the California State Senate — President Pro Tem Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) —  announced today her support for the Schools & Communities First initiative, an historic measure that will close corporate property tax loopholes and reclaim billions of dollars to benefit all Californians:

“When it comes to investing in California’s future, there is nothing more important than putting our schools and communities first. That’s why today I am proud to announce my support for this historic initiative that will reclaim billions of dollars by closing corporate property tax loopholes and invest the money where it is needed most: ensuring that our children have a quality education and providing critical funding for housing, infrastructure and services that help ALL Californians thrive. This initiative offers an honest and reasonable approach to put an end to corporate property tax loopholes while protecting homeowners, renters, and small businesses.” – Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins

The endorsement comes as recent polling showed the initiative is supported by 58% of likely California voters. 

What’s more, a new report by the University of Southern California (USC) showed that every county in the state stands to benefit from the Schools & Communities First initiative by ensuring that commercial and industrial properties are assessed at fair market value. 

With this critical endorsement, the Schools & Communities First initiative continues to gain momentum throughout the state and garner key endorsements from California’s most prominent leaders. These endorsements include California State Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond; Mayors Eric Garcetti, London Breed, Michael Tubbs, and Libby Schaaf; presidential candidates Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Joe Biden, and Pete Buttigieg; and many of the most powerful community and labor groups groups across the state. 

The Schools & Communities First initiative would reclaim $12 billion every year for schools and local communities by closing corporate property tax loopholes, while protecting residential property – including homeowners, renters, and seniors – and small businesses. The initiative would also maintain the 1% property tax cap across the board, ensuring businesses in California continue paying some of the lowest property tax rates in the entire country. 

About Alliance San Diego

Alliance San Diego is a non-profit, non-partisan 501(c)(3) community empowerment organization working to ensure that all people can achieve their full potential in an environment of harmony, safety, equality, and justice. Our mission is to provide a means for diverse individuals and organizations to share information, collaborate on issues and mobilize for change in the pursuit of social justice, especially in low-income communities and communities of color. We pursue this mission through targeted civic engagement programs and strategic coalitions that focus on specific issues and policy reforms.

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