By PAT BOERNER

Susan Shelly, vice president of communication for the Howard Jarvis Tax Association, gave an eye-opening talk at the May meeting of the Republican Women of California-Navajo Canyon. Shelly reminded us how important it is to fight to retain the benefits of Proposition 13, which imposes limits on how much our property taxes can be increased.

Before Proposition 13, taxes were based on the assessed market value of your home and taxes were 2.67% of this amount each year. After it passed, taxes were figured on a base of 1% of the purchase price and yearly increases were limited to 2% regardless of any changes in the market value. As an example, a home currently valued at $500,000 without the protection of Proposition 13 would currently be taxed $13,400 per year.

Housing in San Diego is already expensive, and the loss of Proposition 13 would make the dream of home ownership impossible for many people. Of course, rents would also be affected. This is not just hypothetical rhetoric — there will be a measure on the 2020 ballot that will cut off all California businesses from Proposition 13 protections. That means all businesses! Any place you shop will be hit by higher taxes, and these costs will be passed on to the consumer. Some businesses will chose to just leave California.

The attack on Proposition 13 will come in two parts. First, Sacramento will try to eliminate its protections for businesses with a ballot initiative in 2020. If successful, they will attack Proposition 13’s protections for homeowners in a subsequent election. The best way to protect Proposition 13 for homeowners is to defeat the attack on businesses in the upcoming 2020 election. Be educated and be aware of who is trying to push for its repeal.

As exciting and informative as our May meeting was, we feel sure that the June meeting featuring Carl DeMaio will be equally stimulating and educational. As a former member of the San Diego City Council and currently hosting an afternoon daily news and political show on News Radio 600 AM KOGO, DeMaio is up to the minute on all the hot political issues. He serves as chair of Reform California, which campaigns against tax increases and advocates for multiple government reforms, including the repeal of the gas tax. This is a meeting you don’t want to miss!

We welcome fellow Republicans to join us June 11 to hear Carl DeMaio’s presentation at the Brigantine Restaurant in La Mesa. Check-in begins at 10:30 a.m. for the 11 a.m. meeting. Reservations are required 24 hours in advance. Cost is $25 and a full course lunch is served. Cash and checks are accepted, but no credit cards. These luncheons sell out quickly, so be sure to RSVP early to [email protected]. If you don’t receive a confirmation, please call or text Marjie at 619-990-2791.

For more information on our activities and to learn of future events, please visit our website RWCNavajo-Canyon.org and visit us on Facebook at Republican Women of California.

Navajo Nights, a special summer evening get together is being planned for July. It will be a chance to visit friends, enjoy appetizers, hear a Republican speaker and be part of a relaxing happy hour. As we don’t have our regular lunch meeting in July and August, this is a perfect opportunity to meet our members and learn more about Republican Women of California-Navajo Canyon. Plans are being finalized now, so please check our website for an update on the date, time, place and details.

— Pat Boerner writes on behalf of Republican Women of California-Navajo Canyon.