Effort To Lower Threshold For Raising Local Taxes Fails

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A proposal to make it easier for local California governments to raise taxes or issue bonds for infrastructure projects has failed in the state Assembly.

The effort by Democratic Assemblywoman Cecilia Aguiar-Curry was a constitutional amendment. That means it also would have needed approval from voters at the ballot to become law.

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It would have lowered the threshold for local governments to raise taxes and issue bonds from two-thirds to 55 percent. Supporters say the higher threshold made it too difficult for local communities to raise money for schools, libraries and other projects.

But opponents say the two-thirds threshold is a necessary protection for taxpayers.

It failed to pass the Assembly despite Democrats holding a supermajority. Aguiar-Curry may bring it up for a vote again later this year.