Prohibits New State Taxes That Exclude Revenues from State Spending Limit. Requires Audits for New State Special Taxes.
Prohibits any new state taxes that exclude their revenues from the state spending limit approved by voters in 1979. For statewide special taxes, requires (1) a pre-election audit of programs that would receive funding from a voter-proposed special tax, and (2) recurring audits of programs funded by special taxes enacted after January 1, 2026. States that other voter-approved measures appearing on the same ballot are void if they conflict with this measure and this measure receives more affirmative votes.
A YES vote on this measure means: When special taxes are proposed by voter initiatives, the California State Auditor would review programs funded by the tax before the initiative appears on the ballot. The California State Auditor also would regularly review programs funded by special taxes approved by voters or the Legislature. In addition, the state might not be able to exclude any new special tax spending from its spending limit.
A NO vote on this measure means: The California State Auditor’s responsibility to review government programs would not change. The state spending limit requirements would not change.
Not published by the state
Unknown net fiscal effect. Increased costs for the California State Auditor to implement new one-time and ongoing audit requirements of programs funded by special taxes. These costs would be mostly paid from the new revenues collected from the special taxes. Possible savings associated with implementing recommendations from the audits.
CALIFORNIANS DESERVE BETTER RESULTS FOR OUR TAX DOLLARS Prop. 41 requires the State Auditor to conduct independent public audits of programs funded by proposed new taxes in order to increase transparency and accountability and drive better outcomes. Californians pay some of the highest taxes in the country—on top of our high cost of living. This year alone, California’s state government will spend more than $350 billion—a 79% increase in spending since 2019. Billions of our tax dollars have flowed into state programs like homelessness efforts, with too little to show for it. We deserve better education, health care, infrastructure and other services in return for the hard-earned money we pay to the state. Prop. 41 requires more accountability, transparency and trackable progress of programs funded by our taxes, so that we stop funding failure and start funding successful outcomes. Here’s how Prop. 41 works. PUBLIC AUDITS TO PROVIDE ACCOUNTABILITY, TRANSPARENCY AND OVERSIGHT Prop. 41 requires the independent State Auditor to conduct performance and financial audits of the programs funded by new tax measures, with the results posted publicly. The audits must: • Track all program spending and assess whether it’s achieving its intended outcomes; • Determine whether programs have sufficient oversight and accountability; • Identify areas of waste, fraud and abuse; • Recommend how future waste and fraud can be avoided and programs made more effective. Prop. 41 requires audits both before taxes are voted on to provide transparency to voters, and ongoing audits of programs funded by approved taxes to ensure accountability. PROP. 41: INDEPENDENT, PUBLIC INFORMATION FOR VOTERS ON PROPOSED TAXES Before we vote on new taxes to fund programs, voters should have access to independent information about how those programs are being managed and whether they actually need more funding. Under Prop. 41, the Auditor’s findings must be posted publicly and in the Voter Information Guide—so voters can make informed decisions about new taxes without having to rely on information from special interests or politicians. “This commonsense, long overdue reform will finally instill some transparency and accountability in state spending— ensuring Californians get better government services for the taxes we pay. It provides an independent, public report card for government spending, so government programs work better for everyone.”—Pat Fong Kushida, President/CEO of the CalAsian Chamber of Commerce PROP. 41: A BETTER DEAL FOR TAXPAYERS Prop. 41 doesn’t raise taxes—it protects taxpayers’ interests: • Reduces the waste and fraud that have cost California taxpayers billions of dollars in recent years; • Requires all taxes to comply with the state’s voter-approved spending limit—including its requirement that excess revenues get refunded to taxpayers. Prop. 41 ensures taxpayers get better results—not just a bigger tax bill. “Every tax dollar we waste is a dollar that could actually help someone. Californians already pay the highest state income and sales taxes in the country—we need better transparency and accountability to make sure our tax dollars produce results. Prop. 41 delivers.”—Steve Westly, former Controller of California. Please join good government groups, small business owners, accountants, taxpayers and public transparency advocates in voting Yes on 41. For more information, visit: www.ResultsCA.org
Denise LeDuc Froemming, CPA, President; California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPAs); Tom Hayes, Fmr. California State Auditor; Robert Gutierrez, President; California Taxpayers Association (CalTax)
Suzanne Jimenez, Chief of Staff; SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West
VOTE NO ON PROP. 41. This is a billionaire-funded initiative designed specifically to undo the California Billionaire Tax, Prop. 40. PROP. 41 WOULD CANCEL OUT THE BILLIONAIRE TAX Prop. 41 was put on the ballot for one reason—because billionaires don’t want to pay their fair share. This initiative was created to trick voters like you into making a billionaire tax impossible to enforce. That’s why you must vote NO. Don’t fall for the billionaires’ lies. Prop. 41 isn’t about auditing new taxes. It’s about defeating one specific tax that billionaires want to avoid, because they’d rather millions of working people lose healthcare than pay a modest, one-time tax on their extreme wealth. PROP. 41 WAS FUNDED BY BILLIONAIRES WHO WANT YOU TO PAY MORE FOR HEALTHCARE One of Prop. 41’s main funders is Google founder and Trump donor Sergey Brin, whose wealth has DOUBLED to nearly $300 billion since Trump’s election. Now he’s spent over $57 million to fund sham measures like Prop. 41 that attempt to cancel out a billionaire tax. U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders called this arrogant move by Brin “unacceptable.” Donald Trump took money out of working peoples’ pockets and gave it to billionaires like Brin through massive tax breaks. Now, the billionaires backing Prop. 41 want YOU to pay more for your healthcare. VOTE NO ON PROP. 41 IF YOU SUPPORT THE BILLIONAIRE TAX We have a chance to make billionaires pay their fair share to keep hospitals open and healthcare affordable for California’s working families. Vote NO on Prop. 41.
Suzanne Jimenez, Chief of Staff; SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West
Pat Fong Kushida, President; California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce (CalAsian Chamber); Steve Westly, Fmr. California State Controller; Robert Gutierrez, President; California Taxpayers Association (CalTax)
Both columns use the same layout. Text is quoted from the official state guide. Views expressed belong to the argument authors.