{"id":563,"date":"2024-04-18T22:41:30","date_gmt":"2024-04-18T22:41:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/calchurches.planetpov.com\/impact\/?page_id=563"},"modified":"2024-04-18T23:05:38","modified_gmt":"2024-04-18T23:05:38","slug":"blog","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/blog\/","title":{"rendered":"Blog"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__list has-dates has-author wp-block-latest-posts is-layout-flow wp-block-latest-posts-is-layout-flow\"><li><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Democracy.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Democracy.png?w=300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Democracy.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/div><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/2026\/09\/08\/ca-church-impacts-recommendations-for-november-2026-ballot-propositions\/\">CA Church IMPACT&#8217;s Recommendations for November 2026 Ballot Propositions<\/a><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-author\">by The Rev Dr. Rick Schlosser<\/div><time datetime=\"2026-09-08T21:19:31+00:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-date\">September 8, 2026<\/time><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-full-content\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Democracy.png?resize=300%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-816\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Democracy.png?w=300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Democracy.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><br>We are pleased to present California Church IMPACT\u2019s recommendations for the statewide propositions on California\u2019s November 3, 2026 General Election ballot. These recommendations from our staff are based on our Legislative Principles, developed by our Board of Directors, and which govern our work and our positions on legislation and ballot propositions.\u00a0 We hope you find them helpful.\u00a0<br><br><a href=\"https:\/\/track.pstmrk.it\/3\/churchimpact.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2FCA-2026-Ballot-Guide.pdf\/48TE\/F_7HAQ\/AQ\/b20f4c63-88f7-4f29-9cd1-274ce5cb5c33\/2\/iytm_3FYqD\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>Download a PDF of California Church IMPACT\u2019s complete Ballot Proposition Recommendations for the November 3, 2026, General Election here.<\/u><\/a>\u00a0<br><br>You can download a copy of our\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/track.pstmrk.it\/3\/churchimpact.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F09%2FLegPrinciples2017.pdf\/48TE\/F_7HAQ\/AQ\/b20f4c63-88f7-4f29-9cd1-274ce5cb5c33\/3\/g50gpyxwV0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>Legislative Principle here<\/u><\/a>.<br><br>You can download guidelines for holding\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/track.pstmrk.it\/3\/churchimpact.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F09%2FIMPACT-Sundays.pdf\/48TE\/F_7HAQ\/AQ\/b20f4c63-88f7-4f29-9cd1-274ce5cb5c33\/4\/ufIEIdZysC\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>IMPACT Sundays in your congregation here<\/u><\/a>.<br><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><br><a href=\"https:\/\/track.pstmrk.it\/3s\/churchimpact.org%2Findex.php%2Fjoin-our-email-activist-list%2F\/48TE\/F_7HAQ\/AQ\/b20f4c63-88f7-4f29-9cd1-274ce5cb5c33\/5\/dizFNwNo7t\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>Sign up for our activist email list here.<\/u><\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/track.pstmrk.it\/3s\/churchimpact.org%2Findex.php%2Fdonate-california-church-impact%2F\/48TE\/F_7HAQ\/AQ\/b20f4c63-88f7-4f29-9cd1-274ce5cb5c33\/6\/Y2gMOUkCRM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>Support our work here!<\/u><\/a>\u00a0<br><br><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"393\" height=\"508\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Vote-Voice.jpeg?resize=393%2C508&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-817\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Vote-Voice.jpeg?w=393&amp;ssl=1 393w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Vote-Voice.jpeg?resize=232%2C300&amp;ssl=1 232w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 393px) 100vw, 393px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/No-on-39.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"No on Prop 39\" style=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/No-on-39.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/No-on-39.png?zoom=2&amp;resize=150%2C150 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/div><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/2026\/09\/08\/proposition-39-voter-identification-citizenship-verification-and-registered-voter-list-administration-initiative\/\">Proposition 39. Voter Identification, Citizenship Verification, and Registered Voter List Administration Initiative<\/a><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-author\">by The Rev Dr. Rick Schlosser<\/div><time datetime=\"2026-09-08T18:25:10+00:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-date\">September 8, 2026<\/time><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-full-content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>California Church IMPACT recommends a NO vote<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Did you sign the petition for this initiative? Did you have to show federally qualified ID to do it? No \u2014 because signature-gathering is already scrutinized for legal residence and the right to participate in our elections. Voting works exactly the same way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This proposition is essentially an end-run around the failed federal SAVE (Safeguard Voter Eligibility) Act. Like that bill, it would require new state and federal identification, shown at the polls or entered as the last four digits on mailed or dropped-off ballot envelopes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For forty years, conservative think tanks like the Heritage Foundation have searched for evidence of ineligible voters. The number found \u2014 out of billions of votes cast \u2014 is fewer than 100. And the widely cited \u201cdog that voted in Orange County\u201d case doesn\u2019t show a system failure: the woman who registered and voted using her dog\u2019s name was arrested as soon as it was discovered. The system worked as designed.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"390\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/No-on-39.png?resize=300%2C390&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-813\" style=\"width:160px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/No-on-39.png?w=300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/No-on-39.png?resize=231%2C300&amp;ssl=1 231w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Opponents argue this measure would function as a de facto poll tax \u2014 burdening low-income voters, people with disabilities, the elderly and infirm, and others who face barriers to obtaining new ID, while disproportionately affecting voters of color, new citizens, and others likely to oppose the measure\u2019s backers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Critics conclude there\u2019s no evidence of meaningful voter fraud, and no reason to impose new barriers, costs, or hardships on eligible voters \u2014 calling Prop. 39 an attempt at voter suppression rather than a fraud-prevention measure.&nbsp;<strong>There is no voter fraud<\/strong>.<strong><br>Recommend a NO vote<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/CA-2026-Ballot-Guide.pdf\">Download a PDF of California Church IMPACT\u2019s complete Ballot Proposition Recommendations for the November 3, 2026, General Election here.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/join-our-email-activist-list\/\">Sign up for our activist email list here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/donate-california-church-impact\/\">Support our work here!<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>\n<li><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Yes-on-40.jpeg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Yes-on-40.jpeg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Yes-on-40.jpeg?zoom=2&amp;resize=150%2C150 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Yes-on-40.jpeg?zoom=3&amp;resize=150%2C150 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/div><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/2026\/09\/08\/proposition-40-one-time-wealth-tax-for-state-funded-health-care-programs-initiative\/\">Proposition 40. One-Time Wealth Tax for State-Funded Health Care Programs Initiative<\/a><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-author\">by The Rev Dr. Rick Schlosser<\/div><time datetime=\"2026-09-08T18:21:27+00:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-date\">September 8, 2026<\/time><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-full-content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>California Church IMPACT recommends a YES vote<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is no precedent for this initiative \u2014 no state has ever attempted to impose a wealth tax on its richest residents. Still, the elements are worth walking through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If passed, this would impose a one-time 5% levy on wealth over $1 billion \u2014 for individuals, trusts, and other holdings, including personal property such as artwork \u2014 payable with 2026 taxes due in 2027. The revenue would fund health care and education for the state\u2019s lowest-income families and individuals: 90% to health, 10% to education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Much of the federal deficit traces to the large tax cuts given to top earners. Spending was supposed to fall in response but didn\u2019t \u2014 instead, programs for people in need were cut: Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California), SNAP, and other food assistance. Those safety-net programs weren\u2019t the drivers of rising federal debt; war spending, subsidies for the wealthy, and other factors have kept spending high even as tax cuts reduced revenue.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"634\" height=\"482\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Yes-on-40.jpeg?resize=634%2C482&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-810\" style=\"width:279px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Yes-on-40.jpeg?w=634&amp;ssl=1 634w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Yes-on-40.jpeg?resize=300%2C228&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 634px) 100vw, 634px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is currently no proposed budget for basic safety-net programs beyond this year, and California is already seeing cuts: the state, along with a few others, is having Medicaid funds withheld over disputed fraud claims. As the wealthiest state in the nation, California is home to many beneficiaries of those federal tax cuts \u2014 some of whom pay little or no tax at all. Whether a wealth tax would drive billionaires to leave is uncertain; many have long used transfer pricing, moving assets across jurisdictions to reduce tax liability, meaning much of the taxable wealth may already be beyond the state\u2019s reach. That\u2019s a structural challenge of state-level taxation in a federal system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The bigger problem with this measure may be constitutional: it could function as a retroactive tax, applying back to January 1, 2026, on wealth accumulated before the tax existed. Ex post facto laws are generally unconstitutional \u2014 conduct legal when it occurred typically can\u2019t be penalized retroactively, even in civil matters. This would likely be resolved in court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite those drawbacks, supporters point to a principle of equity: those with the most wealth bear a proportionally greater responsibility. The U.S. has never operated as a pure free market \u2014 policy choices have long shaped wealth accumulation at the top, which is part of why the country adopted a graduated tax system in the first place. Some frame this in moral or religious terms, citing the principle \u201cfrom those to whom much is given, much is required.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Given the practical and legal hurdles, supporters argue the measure is worth attempting as a remedy for growing inequality.<strong><br>Recommend a YES vote<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/CA-2026-Ballot-Guide.pdf\">Download a PDF of California Church IMPACT\u2019s complete Ballot Proposition Recommendations for the November 3, 2026, General Election here.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/join-our-email-activist-list\/\">Sign up for our activist email list here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/donate-california-church-impact\/\">Support our work here!<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>\n<li><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/No-in-41.jpeg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" \/><\/div><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/2026\/09\/08\/proposition-41-prohibit-excluding-new-state-taxes-from-spending-limit-and-require-special-tax-audits-initiative\/\">Proposition 41. Prohibit Excluding New State Taxes from Spending Limit and Require Special Tax Audits Initiative<\/a><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-author\">by The Rev Dr. Rick Schlosser<\/div><time datetime=\"2026-09-08T18:17:10+00:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-date\">September 8, 2026<\/time><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-full-content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>California Church IMPACT recommends a NO vote<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This measure would ostensibly bring transparency to ballot measures by requiring 25% of signatures to be gathered before a measure qualifies for a vote. It would also require any new tax passed in 2026 or later to be audited every four years for effective spending, and would prohibit any tax that creates spending exempt from the state\u2019s \u201cGann Limit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While framed as a general reform, this measure is particularly aimed at reining in Proposition 40 should it pass, and at potential new taxes under Proposition 42. In the interest of transparency: this measure is financially sponsored by a Google founder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the audit provision: this oversight already exists through the Legislative Analyst\u2019s Office (LAO), whose cost and consequence assessments are publicly available. Auditing a measure before it even qualifies for the ballot isn\u2019t cost-effective \u2014 it would waste LAO resources on proposals that may never reach voters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the spending-accountability piece: California Council of Churches IMPACT routinely reviews past measures that funded similar issues, checking whether those funds were fully spent and met their intended use. In some cases, we\u2019ve recommended against new spending because earlier funding wasn\u2019t fully implemented. We can do this because the state already conducts ongoing audits \u2014 not exciting reading, but available for exactly this kind of analysis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally, every bill submitted to the Legislature, and every initiative proposed for the ballot, already undergoes legal review. Legislative Counsel reviews bills; the Attorney General reviews initiatives before they qualify, including compliance with the Gann Limit and whether a measure may legally sit outside the state budget in an independent fund \u2014 similar to how Social Security and Medicare operate at the federal level. The Attorney General determines which measures qualify for that treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"246\" height=\"187\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/No-in-41.jpeg?resize=246%2C187&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-807\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In short, what this measure calls for is already being done. The proponents simply don\u2019t like the results \u2014 and that\u2019s not a reason to duplicate existing processes in hopes of a different outcome.<strong><br>Recommend a NO vote<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/CA-2026-Ballot-Guide.pdf\">Download a PDF of California Church IMPACT\u2019s complete Ballot Proposition Recommendations for the November 3, 2026, General Election here.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/join-our-email-activist-list\/\">Sign up for our activist email list here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/donate-california-church-impact\/\">Support our work here!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>\n<li><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/No-on-42.jpeg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"No on Prop 42\" style=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/No-on-42.jpeg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/No-on-42.jpeg?zoom=2&amp;resize=150%2C150 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/No-on-42.jpeg?zoom=3&amp;resize=150%2C150 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/div><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/2026\/09\/08\/proposition-42-prohibit-new-taxes-on-retirement-holdings-personal-assets-and-savings-and-limit-retroactive-taxes-initiative-constitutional-amendment\/\">Proposition 42.\u00a0\u00a0Prohibit New Taxes on Retirement Holdings, Personal Assets, and Savings and Limit Retroactive Taxes Initiative. Constitutional Amendment.<\/a><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-author\">by The Rev Dr. Rick Schlosser<\/div><time datetime=\"2026-09-08T18:11:42+00:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-date\">September 8, 2026<\/time><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-full-content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>California Church IMPACT recommends a NO vote<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This measure, a constitutional amendment, would permanently prohibit the kinds of taxes proposed in Proposition 40 on individuals with $1 billion or more in income and assets. Part of what Proposition 40 would tax is retirement holdings and savings for those above that threshold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The public case for Proposition 42 leans heavily on concern for the retirement savings of ordinary working people \u2014 as if any of us hold $1 billion or more in those accounts. (If you do, we\u2019d be happy to discuss a tax-deductible donation.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Proposition 40 has no bearing on \u201cwidows and orphans\u201d and won\u2019t touch the vast majority of Californians in any way. Nor will it risk turning billionaires into people sleeping under bridges. This is a shameless attempt to make voters fear losing their hard-earned savings and retirement plans, when the measure it targets applies to billionaires only.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"574\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/CA-Immigrant-Policy-Center-574x1024.jpg?resize=574%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-803\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/CA-Immigrant-Policy-Center.jpg?resize=574%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 574w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/CA-Immigrant-Policy-Center.jpg?resize=168%2C300&amp;ssl=1 168w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/CA-Immigrant-Policy-Center.jpg?resize=768%2C1369&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/CA-Immigrant-Policy-Center.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 574px) 100vw, 574px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Small businesses would also be unaffected. The legal definition of a small business is 500 employees or fewer, assets not exceeding $15 million (not billion), and annual revenue of $5 million or less. A few industries qualify as small business outside that threshold, but even those remain in the millions-of-dollars range, not billions. None would be touched by Prop. 40.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This measure is a cynical attempt to tug at voters\u2019 heartstrings with unwarranted fears about harming \u201csmall business.\u201d Whether one supports or opposes Proposition 40, these two provisions \u2014 41 and 42 \u2014 should be turned down either way. They serve no public interest and only add confusion to the ballot.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Recommend a NO vote<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/CA-2026-Ballot-Guide.pdf\">Download a PDF of California Church IMPACT\u2019s complete Ballot Proposition Recommendations for the November 3, 2026, General Election here.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/join-our-email-activist-list\/\">Sign up for our activist email list here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/donate-california-church-impact\/\">Support our work here!<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>\n<li><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/No-on-43.jpeg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"No on Prop 43\" style=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/No-on-43.jpeg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/No-on-43.jpeg?zoom=2&amp;resize=150%2C150 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/No-on-43.jpeg?zoom=3&amp;resize=150%2C150 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/div><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/2026\/09\/08\/proposition-43-two-thirds-vote-requirement-for-local-special-tax-initiatives-and-property-tax-initiative-prohibition-amendment\/\">Proposition 43. Two-Thirds Vote Requirement for Local Special Tax Initiatives and Property Tax Initiative Prohibition Amendment.<\/a><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-author\">by The Rev Dr. Rick Schlosser<\/div><time datetime=\"2026-09-08T18:03:51+00:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-date\">September 8, 2026<\/time><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-full-content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>California Church IMPACT recommends a NO vote<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Starting with Proposition 218 in 1996, local government efforts to raise taxes via ballot measure required a two-thirds majority to pass. In 2020, however, the California Supreme Court \u2014 upholding an appellate court decision \u2014 ruled that the two-thirds requirement did not apply to citizen-initiated ballot measures raising taxes for special purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most of these citizen-initiated measures created new taxes for special-purpose funds, such as homeless services. Because they originated from citizens rather than local government, and funded specific purposes rather than general government operations, the court held they could pass with a simple majority. Special-purpose taxes proposed by local governments themselves still require a two-thirds vote.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"634\" height=\"482\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/No-on-43.jpeg?resize=634%2C482&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-800\" style=\"width:321px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/No-on-43.jpeg?w=634&amp;ssl=1 634w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/No-on-43.jpeg?resize=300%2C228&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 634px) 100vw, 634px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This 2026 proposition seeks a constitutional amendment making the two-thirds standard absolute across the board, regardless of who initiates the tax or how the revenue is used. It would invalidate the 2020 court ruling \u2014 but would also bar ordinary citizens from pursuing focused, achievable tax solutions to local problems.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Recommend a NO vote<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/CA-2026-Ballot-Guide.pdf\">Download a PDF of California Church IMPACT\u2019s complete Ballot Proposition Recommendations for the November 3, 2026, General Election here.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/join-our-email-activist-list\/\">Sign up for our activist email list here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/donate-california-church-impact\/\">Support our work here!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-563","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/563","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=563"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/563\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":571,"href":"https:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/563\/revisions\/571"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=563"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}