A few footnotes

by JUDY HODGSON

The Journal's Proposition 13 cover story ("Corrosive Force," July 17) certainly elicited interesting letters and some phone calls, one from my real estate friend who opposed the initiative in 1978 but is an enthusiastic supporter today.

"My opinion is precisely the opposite [of yours]," he said, referring to my comment that the current system "taxes enterprise" by reassessing a house at the current market value when it is remodeled.

Prior to Proposition 13, he reminded me, it was common for homeowners to spend money fixing up the inside of their homes but seldom the exterior, leaving the sagging porch and peeling paint to fool the assessor.

Today, homeowners can perform maintenance, repair and certain upgrades without fear of the taxman as long as they are careful, he said.

"You can replace a pier-and-post foundation one year, reroof the next, rewire, maybe later change out the windows -- all without triggering a reappraisal as long as you spread the work out."

Just a tip in case you planning on remodeling soon.

No surprises out of Sacramento these days. I was there for a few days again last week and the top story in Wednesday's Sacramento Bee was not Odai and Qusai, but the governor's recall chances. Although the Journal editorialized against the recall last week -- unpopularity, ineptness, aloofness aren't exactly crimes -- it appears likely that the governor will be booted and both parties better have a plan.

COVER STORY | ART BEAT | IN THE NEWS | CALENDAR

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