California Supreme Court Decision on Taxpayer Deception Act Protects Small Businesses From Devastating Cuts to Programs That Promote Quality Jobs

“The California Supreme Court’s decision to bar the deceptive ‘Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act’ from appearing on the November ballot is a relief for small business owners. If this measure had been put on the ballot and passed, it would have applied retroactively to Jan. 1, 2022 meaning that more than 250 state and local funding measures would be nullified. This would include the reversal of changes to make California’s Paid Family Leave (PFL) and State Disability Insurance programs more equitable. California’s PFL Program guarantees up to 12 weeks of partial wage replacement for employees on extended sick, family, medical, disability or parental leave. This protection has been vital to small businesses and their employees, which is reflected in Small Business Majority’s scientific opinion polling that found 87% of small business owners support the program. 

We thank the California Supreme Court for recognizing the ‘Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act’ for what it really was: an attempt to deceive taxpayers into stripping essential funding from vital programs and services that support our state’s most diverse entrepreneurs.”