Third Railing

Mayor Villaraigosa has once again shown he hates little old ladies who just want to stay in their homes, speaking about Prop. 13 reform at a hearing yesterday: "At issue is a provision in the constitutional amendment that prevents sharp increases in property taxes except when there's a change in ownership. This was intended to provide homeowners with financial security, but businesses have used legal maneuvering to avoid costly reassessments. As a result, homeowners have paid an increasing share of property taxes, according to a recent report from the California Tax Reform Assn. [pdf], a Sacramento-based advocacy group." [LAT]