Gov. Brown Should Block Stormwater-Fee Bill #homeownership #realestate #investment

Source:  Press-Enterprise

A bill that would allow local governments to impose fees for stormwater projects without voter approval passed the Assembly by one vote and is now on Gov. Jerry Brown's desk.  He should veto it.

Senate Bill 231 by California state Sen. Bob Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys, redefines "sewer" to include stormwater, a semantic change with big implications for taxpayers and utility customers.  Under Proposition 218, passed in 1996, local taxes and property-related fees require the approval of two-thirds of voters, except fees for water, trash and sewer services.  Those can be imposed without a vote and can only be stopped if a majority of affected residents file a written protest by a set deadline.

Geoff McIntosh, president of the California Association of REALTORS, said CAR doesn't oppose funding stormwater projects, "we just believe voters should have the vote that the Constitution and Prop. 218 guarantee them."

Check out the full story here:
http://www.pe.com/2017/09/06/gov-brown-should-block-stormwater-fee-bill/

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