Tax Revolt California Jarvis

About Tax Revolt California Jarvis

The California tax revolt of 1978 was led by Howard Jarvis and Paul Gann. Their initiative, Proposition 13, capped property taxes and became a national symbol of taxpayer rebellion. Jarvis was a cantankerous 75 year old newspaper publisher. He gathered signatures outside supermarkets. The initiative passed with 65 percent of the vote. The tax revolt spread nationally. Proposition 2.5 passed in Massachusetts in 1980. Similar measures passed in other states. The tax revolt helped elect Ronald Reagan in 1980 and has influenced American politics ever since. Critics argue that Proposition 13 gutted public services, particularly education. California per pupil spending fell from 5th nationally to 35th. Supporters argue it protected homeowners from being taxed out of their homes. The tax revolt sentiment continues to influence American fiscal policy.