Commentary: If elected, I will defend Proposition 13

I first signed the pledge to protect Proposition 13 in 1998 as a candidate for the Huntington Beach Union High School District Board of Trustees.

I also signed the pledge to protect Proposition 13 as a candidate for the Huntington Beach City Council and now as a nominee California state Assembly. Additionally, I have signed the Americans for Tax Reform’s “Taxpayer Protection Pledge.”

As a trustee and councilman, I have voted against tax and fee increases. Two years ago, I supported the Huntington Beach ballot measure to reduce property taxes. Additionally, I authored and signed the ballot argument against the 2012 proposal to increase property taxes in Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach and other communities in the Coast Community College District.

Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn., says, “Mayor Matthew Harper has a proven record as a tax fighter. Mayor Harper is a defender of the taxpayer and has been praised for being an excellent steward of taxpayer resources. When he takes a pledge to the voters, we know we can count on him. That is why Mayor Matthew Harper is the only candidate running for the 74th Assembly District who is endorsed by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association PAC.”

I will protect Proposition 13, and I have a 16-year record that taxpayers have been able to count on.

The threats to Proposition 13 are real. Currently, an effort is underway to strip away Proposition 13 protections from some properties through a process called “split roll.” Not only would this effort undermine Proposition 13, but it would burden our vulnerable California economy.

I believe strongly in the two-thirds election threshold for property taxes and will continue to fight any efforts to lower that voter threshold.

I know that those who seek to increase taxes will oppose me in my campaign. Those who seek to raise taxes in California should not be empowered. I believe we are overtaxed and that the state underperforms with what is already spent.

Let’s challenge the bureaucracy instead. Cut the red tape, stop the tax increases and get California moving again so jobs can start coming back.

Huntington Beach Mayor MATTHEW HARPER is a candidate in the state Assembly’s 74th District, which includes Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Irvine, Laguna Woods and Laguna Beach.