Why should I vote NO on Proposition 312?

1. Reduction in Public Resources: The proposition could significantly drain city, town, and county budgets by requiring them to refund property taxes. This could lead to reduced funds for essential services that benefit all residents, including schools, parks, public safety, and social services. If refund expenses become too high, it could force cuts to programs that many community members rely on.

2. Criminalization of Homelessness: It may lead to increased enforcement against unhoused individuals, as the measure specifically mentions laws prohibiting illegal camping, loitering, and panhandling. Our work has shown that criminalization often exacerbates homelessness rather than solving it.

3. Ineffective Approach: Refunding property taxes does nothing to address the root causes of homelessness or create affordable housing. It may instead incentivize pushing unhoused individuals from one area to another without providing real solutions.

4. Potential for Abuse: The measure could be exploited to target vulnerable populations unfairly, particularly in light of the Department of Justice's recent investigation into the Phoenix Police Department's treatment of homeless individuals.

5. National Implications: As potential model legislation, Proposition 312 could inspire similar measures in other states, leading to widespread negative impacts on homeless populations and public resources across the country.