Solar Industry Wants Fix to Save California Property Tax Break

The solar energy industry in California, eager to hold on to a valuable tax break, wants to be carved out of a commercial property tax hike that voters will consider in November. Opponents say a proposed deal with lawmakers, however, is an unconstitutional bailout for special interests.

The debate comes to a head Monday when a bill crafted by the solar industry, introduced in June, is heard in the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee. Without the bill, the property tax exclusion will end if voters approve the ballot measure and commercial solar systems would be assessed each year starting ...