Describes in four articles the political role of the social workers both nationally and at the state and local levels, including advice on how to give effective legislative testimony. Experience with California's Proposition 13 illustrates the impact of taxes on human service programs and the need for legislative advocacy. (JAC)

Court-imposed school finance equalization and tax limitation measures in California have created a centralized system of school finance. Political tensions and conflict that have arisen from this centralized control are discussed, with reference to the Serrano mandate and categorical funding. (SLD)

California's Proposition 13 set a maximum property tax of one percent of appraised market value, limited assessment increases to no more than two percent of cash value each year, and required that no new taxes be imposed to make up for lost revenues without a two-thirds vote of the state legislature or a two-thirds vote of all qualified voters.…