In June 1978, California voters approved Proposition 13, limiting property taxes to 1 percent of a property's market value and limiting the property's growth in market value to 2 percent per year. The immediate effect of the limitations was to reduce property tax revenues by $7 billion, of which $3.1 billion would have gone to the schools. The…

In fall 1978, Paul Gann, who worked with Howard Jarvis to pass California's Proposition 13 in June 1978, sought to qualify an intitiative placing a constitutional limit on state and local government expenditures. This initiative qualified and was approved by voters in November 1979 as Proposition 4. Gann's solicitation set the limitation's base…

Simulation of the effects of five selected fiscal constraint programs was compared. The authors conclude that fiscal limits are unlikely to have large effects on a state's total economic activity, and any impacts may be negative. The revenue sources and expenditures most affected are policy decisions; education is a significant loser under…

Implications of some specific educational trends and their possible impact on the institutional structure of public schools are discussed. These trends are grouped under the categories of public criticism, finance and governance, and labor management friction in the schools. Central in this discussion are the future ramifications of Proposition 13…

With reference to current fiscal distress in California, sources of school district revenue are described, potential local revenue sources identified, and equity issues involved in increased local funding noted. (MJL)

The appearance of Proposition 13, the Jarvis/Gann property tax limitation initiative, on the ballot in California in 1978 provoked legislators and educators alike to predict disastrous effects on education should the measure pass. Pass it did, and after the state went through a period of redistributing funds and the school districts reorganized…