Lessons from the Field: 2020 Tax The Rich Ballot Initiatives in AZ and CA

As state and local governments face budget shortfalls in the wake of economic disruption caused by COVID-19, progressive revenue proposals will be critical to avoiding devastating austerity. As most working people saw their lives uprooted during the pandemic, the country's wealthiest individuals and corporations made a fortune.

In the 2020 election cycle, voters weighed ballot initiatives to tax the rich in several states. Progressive forces need to learn from the successes and failures of these projects. Arizona's Proposition 208, which taxed wealthy individuals and businesses to fund public education, passed by a 52-48 margin. Meanwhile, the similar Proposition 15 in California lost by the same margin.

What can we learn from these experiences? Join us for a panel with key activists from both campaigns to reflect on lessons learned going forward.

Panelists

From California and Prop 15: 

• Veronica Carrizales works for Schools and Community First
• Fred Glass is the former communications director for the California Federation of Teachers, a labor historian, and co-leader of East Bay DSA's Prop 15 effort.
• Hannah Kessel is a member of DSA-LA’s Steering Committee and was a co-chair of the chapter’s Yes on Prop 15 working group

From Arizona and Prop 208: 

• Rebecca Garreli is a Science and STEM Educator and Organizer with Arizona Educators United and a lead organizer with #RedforEd/Arizona Educators United.
• David Lujan works for Children Action's Alliance

RSVP for Zoom info.