Title
Adoption of Resolution Opposing Proposition 43, “Limit Voters’ Ability to Raise Revenues for Local Government Services, Legislative Constitutional Amendment,” on the November 3, 2026, California Statewide Ballot. (City Manager 10021030)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Gerry Beaudin, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Proposition 43, “Limit Voters’ Ability to Raise Revenues for Local Government Services,” will appear on the November 3, 2026, California statewide ballot. Proposition 43 is a legislatively referred amendment to the California Constitution that would require voter-proposed local special taxes to receive two-thirds voter approval, rather than the majority vote currently applicable to such measures. The change would apply to voter-proposed local special tax measures approved after January 1, 2027.
The City of Alameda’s (City) 2025-26 Legislative Agenda includes Revenue, Taxation, and Employee Relations as a Legislative Focus Area. The Legislative Agenda states that the City will oppose measures that put City revenues from fees, charges, and tax revenue at risk or limit the ability of local governments to increase revenue, and support state efforts that would reduce the vote threshold for local initiatives.
BACKGROUND
The California Constitution permits local governments to increase taxes with voter approval. In California, there are two types of taxes—General and Special taxes. A general tax is imposed for general governmental purposes, deposited in the General Fund, and requires majority voter approval at a regularly scheduled election for members of the governing body. A special tax is imposed for specific purposes, with revenues restricted to those purposes, and requires approval by two-thirds of voters if placed on the ballot by a local governing body or a majority vote if placed on the ballot via the voter initiative process.
Proposition 43 would amend the California Constitution so that, beginning Januar...
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