Prop 13 writer got fact wrong

John Adams said that facts are stubborn things. Strangely, Mr. Greig’s rant against California’s Prop 13 (“Sound off,” Feb. 3) is based entirely on his belief that, prior to Prop 13, commercial businesses were taxed at a higher rate than residential property.

He is simply wrong. California has had a “uniform” rate of taxation on property since 1849. Prop 13 simply lowered that rate to one percent. In so doing, it allowed millions of Californians to stay in their homes.

Jon Coupal, president

Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association

Sacramento, Calif.