“When you gamble with the finances of our state and local governments, you gamble with public safety”
SACRAMENTO, CA — The California Professional Firefighters (CPF) and the California State Sheriffs’ Association (CSSA) today announced their opposition to Proposition 40 – the reckless wealth tax experiment – joining the Peace Officer’s Research Association of California (PORAC), which came out against the measure in recent weeks.
CPF represents 38,000 professional firefighters and emergency medical service personnel across the state. CSSA represents the state’s 58 elected sheriffs. PORAC represents more than 85,000 public safety members and over 950 associations, making it the largest law enforcement organization in California and the largest statewide association in the nation.
Leaders from these organizations warned that Proposition 40 could destabilize state and local finances, jeopardizing public safety.
“California Professional Firefighters stand firmly against Proposition 40 because when you gamble with the finances of our state and local governments, you gamble with public safety,” said California Professional Firefighters President Darrell Roberts. “Given California’s mounting fire danger and ongoing fiscal challenges, we need smart, durable solutions, not unproven risks. That’s why our 38,000 professional firefighters and emergency medical service personnel are proud to stand with teachers, the building trades, health care providers, and other sworn public safety professionals to say NO on 40.”
“This costly measure takes a wrecking ball to the state’s fiscal house and must be stopped,” said California State Sheriffs’ Association President and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco. “When California loses investment, sheriffs have less funding and our communities are less safe.”
“As the state’s largest law enforcement organization, our members know that safer streets require sustained investment,” said Peace Officer’s Research Association of California President Brian Marvel. “By further destabilizing California’s finances, this scheme is not just reckless — it’s dangerous.”
Last month, the California Medical Association, California Primary Care Association, and California School Boards Association launched a new committee to oppose the wealth tax, spotlighting how the measure “threatens vital funding for education and schools, healthcare and clinics, public safety, and infrastructure projects by making California’s revenue even more volatile.” A new digital ad, “Common” is also running statewide, outlining the devastating impacts of the “reckless wealth tax experiment” on the state’s core priorities and services.
CPF, CSSA, and PORAC join a broad and diverse coalition representing healthcare providers, educators, housing advocates, labor leaders, and others opposed to Proposition 40.
Recently leaders from Housing Action Coalition, California YIMBY, California Council for Affordable Housing, California Housing Consortium, and Housing California joined top officials from the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California, California Conference of Carpenters, and Bay Area Council to announce their opposition to the wealth tax.
Other organizations that have come out against the measure in recent weeks include: the California Teachers Association (CTA), Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California (PPAC), California Hospital Association (CHA), and many more. A full list of the growing coalition opposed to Proposition 40 is here.
Early polling shows voters rejecting the measure 54% to 38% – a 16-point margin – after reviewing its official title and summary.
For more information, visit: VoteNoOn40.org.