Obernolte’s Bill Provides
Increased Ballot Transparency
AB 809 ensures that
information about
local tax increases is clearly stated on the ballot
State Assembly, California Capital Sacramento ____ Today
September 28, 2015, Governor Jerry Brown
signed Assembly Bill 809 authored by Assemblyman Jay Obernolte (R-Hesperia),
which requires the ballot statement for any local tax ordinance to include the
amount of money to be raised and the rate and duration of the tax to be levied.
“Tax increases have a significant financial impact on
hard working families in California,” Assemblyman Obernolte said. “When casting
a ballot, voters should have all the information necessary to make an informed
decision. This is an important step toward improving government transparency.”
Many counties in California already require this important
information, but this bill ensures that it is provided to voters in every
region in the state. AB 809 received accolades from two of California’s leading
taxpayer advocates: The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and the California
Taxpayers Association.
“A ballot label is the last thing voters see before voting on a
local ordinance,” stated David Wolfe, the Legislative Director for the Howard
Jarvis Taxpayers Association. “So many of today's ballot labels include what
the tax is going to fund, but have very little common-sense information like
the duration of the tax and the amount of revenue to be raised. Voters deserve to
have this information clearly presented to them before they cast a ballot. This
is especially true for tax measures which could be in place for decades."
AB 809 is the fourth bill authored by Assemblyman Jay Obernolte
that has been signed by the Governor this year.