Prop. 13 - Time for Change? Audience Participants Wanted!

As Santa Barbara braces for big cuts in public schools and social programs, and other local governments struggle to balance their budgets, political reform advocates argue it's time to change the way California operates. Many say Proposition 13 is the place to start.

Since its passage in 1978, the Prop. 13 property tax cut initiative has transformed the economic and political landscape of our state. Supporters assert it has protected residential property owners from being taxed out of their homes and that it has produced stability and certainty in property tax rates for businesses. Critics claim it has caused severe damage to the state's education system and ripped political power away from local governments and handed it to lawmakers in Sacramento.

The Santa Barbara Channels’ Real Talk: A Santa Barbara Forum series will record a one-hour special examining the pros and cons of Prop. 13 on Wednesday, July 22. The program will also explore underlying causes of the state’s financial crisis and the new effort to radically restructure government in California. Joe Armendariz, a current Carpinteria City Council member and Executive Director of the Santa Barbara County Taxpayers Association, and Susan Rose, former Santa Barbara County Supervisor, will face off in what promises to be a spirited discussion. Jerry Roberts, Publications Director at UCSB, and formerly Executive Editor of the Santa Barbara News-Press and Managing Editor of The San Francisco Chronicle, will be the host and moderator.

Real Talk will look at several questions, including:

• Should Prop. 13 be changed to allow a different tax rate for commercial and residential property?
• Should Prop. 13's two-thirds requirement for new taxes be relaxed?
• Does Prop. 13 put too much power in the hands of Sacramento politicians?
• What can be done to repair the dysfunction of state government?
• How does all this affect Santa Barbara taxpayers, parents and voters?

For the first time, a studio audience, limited to 20 people, is invited to participate and ask questions. Those interested in being part of the studio discussion may contact Hap Freund. E-mailed questions will also be considered forum@sbchannels.tv.

Real Talk airs on Channel 21 Sundays at 7 pm, Mondays at12 noon and 8:30 pm, Wednesdays at 12 midnight and 5 pm, and Fridays at 12 noon and 8:30 pm.