It looks like the hefty L.A. mansion tax is going to pass. Don’t be surprised if other cities and counties do the same and pit the rich people vs. everyone else under the guise of solving homelessness.
Measure ULA, the so-called “mansion tax,” is a ballot measure in California that would impose a one-time transfer tax on commercial and residential real estate sales valued at over $5 million.
The tax rate would be 4% for properties valued at $5 million to $10 million and would jump to 5.5% for properties valued at $10 million and above. Homeowners selling a $10 million property, for example, would face $550,000 in additional taxes on the sale.
Laura Raymond, organizer and spokesperson for the Yes on ULA campaign and director of the Alliance for Community Transit-Los Angeles (ACT-LA), a coalition of 42 organizations working toward transit and housing justice, said that the costs of the tax will be carried by the city’s wealthiest and the funds will benefit those most vulnerable.
“The cost-benefit tradeoff is a huge win, and one that will make our city not only more just but also a better place to live for everyone,” Ms. Raymond said.
If passed, the tax will go into effect in April 2023. Without a sunset clause, the tax would be permanent, though it would also be adjusted to keep pace with inflation. To avoid incurring these additional taxes, homeowners of multimillion-dollar estates looking to sell should act before next spring.
Regarding the homelessness challenge in Southern California, the State of California, and the country in general, what percentage of the homeless are drug addicts, alcoholics and those with mental illness? How many people, living on the streets, go to work, at real jobs, on a regular basis and return to the street where they prefer to reside? In my opinion, none. They live on the street so they can pander to their addiction. And how many of the homeless became mentally ill due to their drug addiction? I suggest that those persons mentioned above receive the treatment they need to overcome their addiction and mental illness. Why do we want to create new housing for drug addicts and alcoholics on they can continue their addiction and not be responsible citizens? Show me the statistics regarding that status of the homeless! How many people living on the streets are educated people seeking real jobs, not using drugs, or drinking all day? Don’t just fund/build housing for addicted people. Solve their issues so they can return to society as productive members of our community! If they want free housing, they must get off drugs and alcohol, and find real employment. Measure ULA will not resolve the homeless issue, it will just hide it!