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Page 1 of 4 <br />Item #2 <br /> CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT <br /> <br />April 16, 2024 <br />City Manager <br /> <br />TITLE: ADOPT A RESOLUTION OPPOSING CALIFORNIA BALLOT INITIATIVE NO. 21- <br />0042A1, THE TAXPAYER PROTECTION AND GOVERNMENT <br />ACCOUNTABILITY ACT AND AUTHORIZE JOINING THE CALCITIES <br />COALITION <br /> <br />SUMMARY <br />The Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act would revise the California <br />Constitution with provisions that adopt new and stricter rules for raising taxes and fees, limit <br />voters’ authority and input, and may make it more difficult to impose fines and penalties for <br />violation of state and local laws. The proposed constitutional initiative is sponsored by the <br />California Business Roundtable. The measure puts billions of local government tax and fee <br />revenues at risk statewide with related core public service impacts. Specifically, the proposed <br />initiative could have significant negative impacts on the City of Pleasanton operations and core <br />service delivery, and as such staff recommends adopting a resolution opposing the measure <br />and joining with public safety, education, labor, local government and infrastructure groups in <br />the CalCities coalition to oppose the measure. <br /> <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />Adopt a resolution opposing California ballot initiative No. 21-0042A1, the Taxpayer Protection <br />and Government Accountability Act and authorize joining the CalCities Coalition. <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br />On January 4, 2022, the California Business Roundtable filed the “Taxpayer Protection and <br />Government Accountability Act” or AG# 21-0042A1 (Attachment 1). On February 1, 2023, the <br />measure qualified for the November 2024 ballot. <br /> <br />The League of California Cities, along with a broad coalition of local governments, labor and <br />public safety leaders, infrastructure advocates, and businesses, strongly opposes this <br />initiative. <br /> <br />Local government revenue-raising authority is currently substantially restricted by state statute <br />and constitutional provisions, including the voter approved provisions of Proposition 13 of <br />1978, Proposition 218 of 1996, and Proposition 26 of 2010. The Taxpayer Protection and <br />Government Accountability Act adds and expands restrictions on voters and local government <br />tax and fee authority in a manner that would significantly impact the ability for local <br />governments to engage in fiscal planning. <br /> <br />DISCUSSION <br />The proposed measure would restrict the ability of cities to raise taxes and fees, including <br />retroactively. Major provisions of Initiative No. 21-0042A1 include: <br /> <br />Page 41 of 559