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Call him “Tax Hike Pete.” 

2020 Democratic Presidential candidate and South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg has paired up with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti to impose a tax increase that will hit residents of all income levels.

Buttigieg today joined Garcetti at a rally hosted by SEIU union bosses to endorse a “parcel tax hike” on homes and businesses, known as Measure EE. Paying the rent will become more difficult for residents, and the cost of living will rise.

This new tax burden on residents would come in the form of a 16 cent/square foot tax on every parcel of taxable property within the L.A. Unified School District. The tax would not only be applied to living spaces and businesses, but could also end up hitting home garages.

Kowtowing to the union bosses, Buttigieg called the measure “absolutely vital,” as locals took to Twitter to express their opposition.

“It will make my increased property taxes very difficult for me to pay. I’m struggling. Just because I own a home it doesn’t mean I have deep pockets, it’s the exact opposite and this could break me,” said resident Maria Fischer, on Twitter.
 
“Angelenos already pay some of the highest taxes in the country. How about the monies that have already been earmarked for schools and road repair and the homeless start actually going to those things,” said resident Dawn Rice.

As noted by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, the tax would hit residents hard:

The tax would add hundreds of dollars to tax bills and rents and would do so in a convoluted manner. Rather than a flat tax on every parcel — which would be bad enough — the proposed tax increase would be 16 cents per square foot of building improvements on properties within the district.

That’s $160 for every 1,000 square feet. Property owners (and tenants) should be sitting down when they do the math on this one.

Seniors are ostensibly exempt from the tax, but not from rent increases. Properties used as the principal residence of owners who are age 65 or older, or on disability, are eligible for an exemption, but there’s no exemption from the higher rents or higher prices that result from the tax hike. Also, seniors should be very cautious about the so-called “exemption,” as in many instances it’s necessary to re-apply for them every year.

Buttigieg, who fashions himself an everyman, has let the American people know that if elected, he will put tax hikes and union bosses first.

Politico recently reported that Buttigieg has “newfound popularity among Hollywood and Silicon Valley donors.”

Newsflash, Mayor Pete. Americans won’t take kindly to your rallies with left wing Los Angeles union bosses and your lucrative fundraisers with elitist Hollywood friends, especially when it involves higher taxes.