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Already struggling with 40-year high inflation, ULA and SP comes at the worst time for families
LOS ANGELES, CA - L.A.’s largest ever tax increase proposed by Measures ULA and SP couldn’t come at a worse time for the city’s underserved communities already reeling from 40-year high inflation. Both property tax ballot measures will impact L.A.’s small businesses—raising the cost of everyday essentials like groceries and daycare, while Measure SP will directly increase the cost of housing by raising taxes on homes and apartments. Unless voters defeat Measures ULA and SP, special interests and L.A. politicians will receive another billion dollars in tax revenue every year at the expense of Angelenos who can least afford it.
“Measures ULA and SP will worsen systematic inequalities by raising property taxes on renters, homeowners, and small businesses — hitting communities of color especially hard,” said Reverend Jonathan Moseley, western region director for National Action Network.
A recent Public Policy Institute of California survey found that 75 percent of Los Angeles region residents are experiencing financial hardship due to inflation and rising prices—with African American and Latino families disproportionately facing economic challenges. The cost of groceries has increased by 13 percent, gas by 25 percent and electricity by 10 percent over the last 12 months in the Los Angeles area. By raising property taxes and the cost of living, Measures ULA and SP will add more strain to disadvantaged communities already struggling to make ends meet.
The pandemic was particularly challenging for minority-owned small businesses and sectors that employ people of color, which were disproportionately hurt by COVID restrictions and lacked access to federal assistance. Now on top of rising inflation, these same businesses will see higher rents caused by Measure ULA and SP—which will also raise costs for their customers. One estimate from the Center on Jobs and Economy projects Measure ULA could raise rents by up to 8 percent. When so many small businesses are operating on the margins, higher costs from Measures ULA and SP could be the difference between bankruptcy and staying open.
The impact on communities of color has drawn a diverse group of opposition to Measures ULA and SP. Read what others are saying about the negative impact of Measures ULA and SP:
"First Covid, then inflation, and now a massive tax hike with Measures ULA and SP. Our local small businesses are barely hanging on and can’t afford higher taxes.” - Veronica Corona, L.A. small businesswoman and vice-chair of the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
"Measures ULA and SP will further devastate minority-owned small business and hurt workers who rely on these jobs to feed their families." - MC Townsend, L.A. small businesswoman and president of the Regional Black Chamber of Commerce
"Inflation is already costing the average household $460 more each month. Now, Measures ULA and SP will make it more expensive to live or work in L.A. — especially for seniors on fixed incomes.” - Richard Wallace, president of the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce
“Working families, renters, and small businesses simply can’t afford ULA and SP, especially when inflation is on the rise and cost of living increases are putting significant pressure on the family budget. Measures ULA and SP will amount to a $1.1 billion property tax increase, the largest in the city’s history, hurting renters, homeowners, seniors and small businesses in the process.” - Darrel Sauceda, L.A. small businessman and chairman of the Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce
Organizations opposed to Measures ULA and SP:
Asian Business Association, Los Angeles
Asian Industry B2B
Black Business Association
California Black Chamber of Commerce
California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce
Coalition of Filipino American Chambers of Commerce
Latin Business Association
Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce
National Action Network, LAX
National Action Network, Western Region
National Asian American Coalition
Regional Black Chamber of Commerce
Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce
United Latinos Action
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Angelenos Against Higher Property Taxes is a coalition of renters, homeowners, small businesses, veterans, social justice leaders, and community advocates who oppose Measures ULA and SP – which combined represent a $1.1 billion increase in property taxes in Los Angeles and impact just about every homeowner, renter and small business. To learn more, please visit www.VoteNoULAandSP.org.
Paid for by Angelenos Against Higher Property Taxes - No on ULA and SP, a coalition of Los Angeles homeowners, renters, taxpayers, and small businesses. 13636 Ventura Blvd. #518, Sherman Oaks. Committee major funding from California Business Roundtable, California Association of REALTORS®, and California Business Properties Association. Additional information is available at ethics.lacity.org.
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