Prop. 13 movement fails to get on ballot

The movement to put into effect a California-style cap on property tax increases has failed to qualify for the Arizona ballot.

Organizers of Prop. 13 Arizona said June 29 they were unable to gather the necessary signatures to appear on the ballot this November.

They needed 230,047 signatures by July 1.

The group’s failure to get the needed signatures illustrates the difficulty of an all-volunteer petition drive.

But Lynne Weaver, chairperson of the group, said they’re not giving up the fight. They plan to file the same initiative this November for the 2012 ballot, she said.

“It took Howard Jarvis four tries,” Weaver said, referring to the man who spearheaded the landmark California initiative. “Things that are worthwhile are not necessarily easy to do. We are undaunted.”

In a statement, the group said it came “very close” to getting the required number of signatures.

The group’s petition, pending voter approval, would have amended the state Constitution to roll back property valuations to 2003 levels and limit property tax rates at 0.5 percent for all residential property and 1 percent for all other property.

It would also have capped property valuation increases at 2 percent per year and repealed the ability of voters to override property tax levy limits.

In the battle to reduce property taxes, the group finds inspiration in Prop. 13, which was approved by 65 percent of California voters in 1978.

California’s Prop. 13 has been the target of numerous court cases but has remained largely intact.

Several attempts to water it down were also defeated.