Bay Area officials oppose California Proposition 43 ballot measure on tax vote requirements

California Proposition 43 has sparked intense debate between local officials and tax reform advocates over local tax voting thresholds. Supported by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association with over $10 million in funding, the measure would require a two-thirds majority for citizen-initiated special taxes, reversing a 2017 California Supreme Court precedent. Opponents, including Governor Gavin Newsom, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, and local government associations, argue the change threatens funding for first responders, housing, and essential municipal services.

Bay Area local officials leading opposition

• ▪San Francisco Supervisor Bilal Mahmood and representatives from housing and public safety groups urged voters to reject Proposition 43, warning it would hamstring local tax funding.
• ▪San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee gathered on October 7, 2026 outside San Francisco Fire Station No. 5 to oppose Proposition 43.

Statewide figures and organizations opposing the measure

• ▪Municipal advocacy groups, including the League of California Cities and the California State Association of Counties, publicly declared opposition to Proposition 43.
• ▪California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on October 9, 2026 that he plans to vote against Proposition 43.
• ▪California Professional Firefighters President Darrell Roberts stated that Proposition 43 threatens local tax funding dedicated to fire protection and emergency response services.

Proponents of Proposition 43

• ▪The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, represented by spokesperson Susan Shelley, leads support for Proposition 43 to raise the difficulty of enacting local tax increases.
• ▪Reform California, led by Assembly Member Carl DeMaio, and the California Republican Party publicly back Proposition 43.

Proposed changes to local tax approval rules

• ▪California Proposition 43 would extend a two-thirds voter approval requirement to citizen-initiated local special taxes, reversing a 2017 California Supreme Court decision that permitted a simple majority.
• ▪Under Proposition 43, local general taxes that flow into unrestricted general funds would maintain a simple majority voter approval threshold.

Consequences for local tax measures

• ▪University of California, San Diego sociology professor Isaac Martin noted Proposition 43 would force local governments to use general fund taxes or forego funding popular services.
• ▪In 2024, four California local special sales tax measures passed with simple majorities, but none reached the two-thirds threshold required under Proposition 43.

Political background of Proposition 43

• ▪California Assembly Member Buffy Wicks disavowed Proposition 43 shortly after it qualified for the ballot, calling it the only way to eliminate a more dangerous initiative.
• ▪Proposition 43 arose from a legislative compromise involving California Assembly Member Buffy Wicks to remove a more restrictive Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association measure from the state ballot.

Debatable claims

• ▪Unrestricted general fund taxes are an adequate mechanism for cities to finance local needs
• ▪California should require a two-thirds vote for citizen-initiated local special taxes