Today, the California Supreme Court ordered the Secretary of State to refrain from taking any steps that would place the so-called “Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act” (also known as the Taxpayer Deception Act) on the November ballot. The Court ruled that the measure would have imposed such sweeping changes to our system of government that it could only be enacted through a revision to our State Constitution, not a ballot initiative. The measure, supported by wealthy real estate developers and landlords, would have required all state actions raising funding to be approved by a two-thirds majority vote of the Legislature, to be time-bound, and to be placed on the ballot and receive a majority popular vote. It further would have threatened to undo vital measures already enacted dating back to January 2022, including the funding mechanism for a critical improvement to California’s paid family and medical leave program that will raise benefit rates to 90% for middle-to-low-wage earners as of January 1, 2025.
“We are grateful that the Court put a stop to this unconstitutional and dangerous measure. Now California can continue to focus on supporting families and fulfilling essential government functions,” said Katie Wutchiett, Senior Staff Attorney in the Work and Family Program.
Legal Aid at Work and partner organizations submitted an amicus brief to the California Supreme Court arguing that the measure would impermissibly alter our structure of government and jeopardize essential services like paid family and medical leave, leading to devastating consequences for the health and wellbeing of families and people with disabilities. Read our amicus brief here and the Court’s decision here.