Are Seniors Really Exempt from El Cerrito’s Library Tax?

El Cerrito neighbors and friends,
you’ve probably heard one line over and over from supporters of the new library tax:

“Seniors are exempt.”

Not “low-income seniors under a strict state program.”
Not “a few seniors who qualify after paperwork and audits.”
Just a blanket “seniors are exempt.”

That isn’t just misleading. It’s false.
And the people leading this effort—City Manager Karen Pinkos and Pro Library Head and former councilmember Greg Lyman—keep using that line even after the facts have been pointed out.

What the ballot language really says

The ballot measure only exempts parcels where an owner qualifies for one of two state programs:

• The Gonzales-Deukmejian-Petris Senior Citizen Property Tax Assistance Law
• The Senior Citizen Property Tax Postponement Law

That’s it. No broad city exemption.
No automatic relief.
No “all seniors are exempt.”

What they don’t tell you

✔ The first program has been inactive since 2009.

It has not accepted applications for 15 years, yet it’s still listed in the ballot text as if it were a real option.

✔ The second program has an income cap of $55,181.

In the Bay Area, that excludes most seniors immediately.

And even for the small number who might qualify, this is not a free pass. The state program is a loan against the property—with interest. Seniors must:

• apply to the state (not the city),
• submit tax returns and other documents, and
• meet conditions set by the State Controller’s Office.

That is very different from the simple “senior exemption” being advertised.

A charade built on repetition, not honesty

At this point, the continued use of the “seniors are exempt” claim is not an honest mistake—it is a tactic.

Karen Pinkos and Greg Lyman know:

• one of the two cited programs no longer operates,
• the other is extremely narrow,
• and almost no seniors in El Cerrito will actually see relief.

Yet they keep repeating the talking point anyway. That’s not public service.
It’s a charade designed to calm seniors with something that simply isn’t true.

This tax is bad for every parcel owner

This measure hits every parcel owner:

• homeowners
• condo owners
• small landlords
• apartment buildings
• businesses
• nonprofits that own property

There is no broad, local exemption for seniors.
There is no city-run relief program.
And the City Council can raise the amount by about 5% every year, compounding over time.

So when you hear “Don’t worry, seniors are exempt,” remember:

• one program is defunct,
• the other is a hard-to-access state loan,
• and most seniors will still be paying this tax.

El Cerrito deserves better

Neighbors and friends, we deserve:

• clear, honest explanations
• accurate descriptions of who pays and who doesn’t
• and leaders who don’t rely on half-truths to pass long-term taxes

When a measure depends on misleading voters—especially seniors—it’s a warning sign.

We can support libraries without being misled.
We can demand both a strong library and an honest government.