Assemblyman Carl DeMaio is advocating for the California Taxpayer Protection Initiative, which aims to restore voter protections related to tax increases that have been weakened by recent California Supreme Court rulings. DeMaio argues that these rulings have undermined the rights of Californians, particularly regarding the ability to block tax hikes through citizen initiatives.
The initiative proposes several key measures:
- Transparency in tax and fee increases, requiring clear titles and summaries that label them as “TAX INCREASE” or “FEE INCREASE,” along with details on the amount, duration, and intended use of the funds.
- Restoration of the two-thirds vote requirement for any special local tax increases.
- A requirement for statewide public votes on specific controversial tax proposals, including a Mileage Tax, Gas Tax, Car Tax, Savings Tax, and Exit Tax.
DeMaio contends that without this initiative, taxes at both the state and local levels will continue to rise unchecked. He emphasizes the importance of voter approval for any significant tax changes to protect citizens from what he describes as unfair and costly tax hikes. If the state legislature does not place the initiative on the ballot, DeMaio plans to gather signatures to ensure it appears in the 2026 election.
