October 5, 2020: Proposition 15 Debate
California voters this year are being asked to decide whether to raise property taxes on big businesses. The contentious Proposition 15 would amend the state constitution so that commercial properties are taxed on their market value once every three years.
Such a change would boost local funding for schools and local government. But critics say now is the wrong time for the biggest tax increase in California history, a move that would drive up rents and the cost of living.
Please join the Sacramento Press Club for a debate between proponents and opponents of Proposition 15, streaming at 5 p.m. on Oct. 5 at Press Club's Facebook page. Laura Mahoney of Bloomberg and Doug Sovern of San Francisco’s KCBS will moderate the event.
Speaking for the initiative are:
David Goldberg, vice president of the California Teachers Association, who has spent most of his 20-years as an educator as an elementary bilingual teacher in Los Angeles. He is fluent in Spanish and sign language.
Veronica Carrizales, policy and campaign director of California Calls, an alliance of 31 community-based organizations that advocates for fair taxes, economic growth and stable funding for public services. Carrizales oversees the organization's expansion into new regions of the state, shapes policy analysis, and maintains partnerships with key statewide allies.
Speaking against the initiative are:
Larry Stone is Santa Clara County Assessor, named by San Jose Magazine as one of Silicon Valley’s most powerful 100 leaders. He previously served as a city council member and mayor of Sunnyvale, and worked as a financial manager on Wall Street. He also co-founded a successful Bay Area real estate investment and development firm.
Jamie Johansson is president of the California Farm Bureau Federation and operator of Lodestar Farms where he grows olives and citrus in Oroville. Johansson served four years on the Oroville City Council, including a term as vice mayor.