By Californians for Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A coalition of city council members are expressing their disappointment with the League of California Cities during its Annual Conference  in Sacramento due to the League’s recent conduct surrounding its opposition to the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act (TPA) slated for the November 2024 General Election.

Their action comes as a new website was launched to highlight multiple examples of misinformation employed by the League regarding the TPA. The coalition stressed that the TPA does not alter the vote threshold for any tax measure introduced by a city, limiting its impact on local governments. Despite this, the League’s communications misleadingly hint at making it more challenging for cities to secure approval for special tax measures, contrary to the reality.

“The legislature and the courts have found ways to make it easier to raise taxes by creating loopholes in previously approved voter initiatives,” said Gary Boyer, Mayor of the City of Glendora. “We were elected to provide better futures for our residents and yet, Californians are facing a skyrocketing cost of living due to some of the highest tax rates in the nation and it is forcing residents, business, and jobs out of California. Taxpayer protection measures like the TPA are vital to keeping California’s cost of living in check.”

The council members also highlighted their further disillusionment with the League’s lobbying efforts on Assembly Constitutional Amendment (ACA) 13, a last-minute attempt by the State Legislature that would make it harder for voters to approve the TPA. Through ACA 13, the League chose to support a constitutional amendment that would intentionally create a two-tier system favoring charter cities at the expense of the vast majority of the League’s member cities. These actions are seen as an extension of a longstanding trend where the League is perceived to disproportionately favor its larger, urban cities to the disadvantage of its broader membership.

“It’s vital for the League of California Cities’ leadership to advocate for the interests of all its member cities. However, its recent actions and false claims regarding the Taxpayer Protection Act are disappointing. The League’s credibility and capacity to advance the interest of cities hinges on providing accurate and unbiased information—signaling the need for the League’s leaders to alter their approach,” said Will O’Neill, board member for the Association of California Cities – Orange County and Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Newport Beach. 

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