The Bogey Man  

In July, my parents received the following in the mail:  

In the Bad Old Days before Proposition 13, an assessor would use the prices of houses recently sold in your neighborhood to mark up the value of your home.  Then you’d see a comparable increase in your next property tax bill, so …  

Without Prop. 13, you’d now pay triple your recent property tax bill … or seven times?  …ten times?   … certainly many thousands of dollars more every year!  

I’m writing today to warn you that those very bad old days could come back soon, because ... [i]f we don’t act now, the State Legislature could soon weaken {rop. 13 and allow BIG property tax increases on your home, along with every house in your community. …

I’ve enclosed an Official Petition for your use to help protect yourself from HUGE property tax increases. ...  

My parents’ English is limited.  Compound that with a lengthy mailing in relatively small type.  Add the stunning realization that the mailing says nothing about pending legislation, but, rather, talks about what might happen if such legislation were introduced.  

How many people received that mailing?  Playing on people’s fears with ethereal accusations.  Five sheets of paper which would head to the trash can in most homes.  

Just what is the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association thinking?  

If you answer the multiple-choice questions below and e-mail to lessonanswers@mymontebello.com with “Lesson answers” in the subject field, you will be credited toward a “certificate of recognition in community affairs” to be awarded in 2008 by a local nonprofit organization.  

1. What did the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association mail to people in July?

(a) A petition for them to sign to protect Proposition 13.

(b) A pen-and-pencil set.  

2. What is egregious about this mailing?

(a) It is lengthy—unwanted—and in small type—unreadable, meaning that it will head for the trash can.

(b) The enclosed letter does not point to any legislation which threatens Proposition 13.

September 4, 2008