Vote yes on tax break for seismic work
Chronicle Recommends: June 8 Primary
Published 4:00 am, Thursday, April 22, 2010
In California's divisive politics, it's a miracle to find a ballot measure that has broad support, clear benefits and no identifiable opposition. That's the case for state Proposition 13, a measure that encourages seismic upgrades to quake-prone buildings by canceling the risk of increased property taxes.
Under the original Prop. 13 passed in 1978, property taxes are set at the purchase price with only a small yearly increase allowed. But if an owner undertook a major upgrade including seismic work, the changes could bring on a significant tax increase. The landmark tax measure acted as a brake on valuable safety work.
Prior votes have tried to fix the problem, which should be solved in a state with jittery fault lines in population centers such as the Bay Area and Los Angeles region. But the efforts were a mixed bag of deferred tax dates and differing building descriptions.
The proposed ballot measure seeks to end the confusion once and for all. Under Prop. 13, seismic work is judged to be a life-safety issue and not a cause for higher taxes. According to an official ballot analysis, the financial impact is minimal since many country assessors hadn't closely monitored the seismic work.
The measure went on the ballot without a single dissent in the Senate and Assembly. Voters should give it final approval on June 8.