Throughout California, local elected leaders emphasized the importance of what this funding would mean and how critical it is that more resources get sent back into the communities by closing corporate property tax loopholes: 

 

“This is a choice between perpetuating a tax break for the wealthiest corporations in our state or expanding the critical local services to reduce homelessness, reduce emergency wait times and improve our neighborhoods – at zero cost to residents. These numbers show just how critical of a choice this is.” – Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti

 

“We've made a lot of progress in our city, but there's still much more work to be done. We can't afford to continue allowing corporations to avoid paying their fair share while our students and neighborhoods struggle to get by. I've seen how far even a minor increase in our city's budget can go. That's why these numbers are so encouraging and why we have to pass the Schools & Communities First initiative.” – Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs

 

“This measure will close an egregious loophole and begin to restore basic fairness in our tax system. Corporations in California have been using loopholes to avoid paying their fair share for far too long while our schools and communities have suffered as a result. This funding will go a long way in ensuring that our communities have what they need to thrive. This is money that can be invested into tackling issues of housing affordability and homelessness, mental health,  parks, ensuring we have clean water, creating job training programs, and meet the needs of our most vulnerable community members. Reclaiming this funding will have a positive impact across San Diego — and California — into perpetuity without raising taxes while protecting homeowners.” – San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher

 

“I am amazed at the new numbers that could have positive implications for farmworker communities and San Joaquin Valley counties with these additional resources. The four poorest communities in the state are in Fresno County. Communities like Huron have been ignored for much too long and it is always due to the lack of resources. Now we see how a corporate property tax loophole has enabled these inequities. For this reason, I'm proud to support the Schools & Communities First initiative and prioritize our students and neighbors. The resulting resources due to this initiative will have huge impacts. Our local community leaders will be able to tackle critical issues that have gone overlooked because of lack of resources.” – Huron Mayor Rey León

 

“Year after year, our cities struggle to fund the services our residents and families need. With so few local revenue options, we’re often forced to make impossible choices between housing, infrastructure, and critical community services. Schools & Communities First will ensure all corporations pay their fair share so we can pay for the things our neighbors need in order to thrive.” – Oakland City Councilmember Nikki Fortunato Bas

“In Alameda, as in the rest of the state, the funding situation is dire. Special ed class sizes are too high and we have problems attracting and retaining strong teachers. They leave for places where they can be paid a living wage. Teacher turnover negatively impacts our students. We’re coming up with creative ways in Alameda to provide the resources to educate all of our kids. These numbers highlight the reason this initiative must pass. We must do what we can to ensure what’s best for our schools and communities – and that public resources benefit them first.” – Alameda Unified School District Vice President Jennifer Williams