Talk:Reform California

Taxpayer Protection Initiative

Hi @Djm1017,

I am trying to add a section about the Taxpayer Protection Initiative. The section you wrote contains myriad Manual of Style violations but the content itself is relevant, so I would like to include it. This would also help balance out some of the negative coverage (from my research, Reform California's coverage by the media has been overwhelmingly critical, and it has been difficult to find media coverage that is not discussing various controversies, which is probably why you feel that the article is "non-neutral" – I am working to fix this).

The problem is, I can find very few reliable independent sources that link Reform California to the Taxpayer Protection Initiative. The sources you used in your section for it do not discuss Reform California. Could you please let me know if you find any that have a more direct link? aesurias (ping me in your reply, or I won't see it) (talk) 01:17, 24 May 2026 (UTC)

Hi @Aesurias,

The reason the article is "negative" is because it solely focuses on controversies and qualifies any neutral coverage with an opponent saying something negative about Carl DeMaio or Reform California. Strictly speaking, Neutral coverage is "This is what Reform California is and what it has done" with the major elements being that it is an anti-tax organization, it publishes an annual voter guide, it has a podcast, and that it was involved in pension reform, the gas tax repeal, recalling State Senator Josh Newman, and the Taxpayer Protection Initiative and the CA Voter ID Initiative.

Here are some sources I've found so far on Taxpayer Protection - not necessarily independent but they do shine a light on Reform's activity even if it wasn't covered in the media. Perhaps strongest is the amicus brief to the CA Supreme Court:

Assemblymember DeMaio companion bill: https://ad75.asmrc.org/2025/04/28/demaio-introduces-ca-taxpayer-protection-act-aca-14-to-strengthen-prop-13-and-restore-the-rights-of-voters-to-block-tax-hikes/

Reform California coverage: https://www.reformcalifornia.org/news/save-prop-13-campaign-turns-in-1-35-million-signatures----headed-for-november-2026-ballot

https://www.reformcalifornia.org/news/ca-taxpayer-protection-initiative-qualifies-for-2024-ballot

Reform CA Amicus brief to CA Supreme Court:

https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/638648240867557bf7775f3e/65b99ad1b62cfc9e372199a9_RCA%20TPA%20DeMaio%20Amicus%20Brief%201-30-24.pdf

I will keep digging

Djm1017 (ping me in your reply, or I won't see it) (talk) 08:38, 24 May 2026 (UTC)

There are not enough reliable, independent sources for things like their annual voter guide, podcast and their "beer" event. We need those kinds of sources because it demonstrates their relevance in the article.

I am confused as to why the recent voter guide fight has been removed. It is by far what the group is best known for. The four sources are not particularly helpful. They are not independent and do not demonstrate the notability of the events they discuss. aesurias (ping me in your reply, or I won't see it) (talk) 05:14, 25 May 2026 (UTC)

The voter guide fight is about a different entity. The entity you're writing about there is "Reform California Voter Guide" which is a separate organization from "Reform California" - which is actually DeMaio's candidate committee. Yes, It is confusing, but we're mixing up organizations here.

Here are the entities:

1) Reform California, which used to be a political action committee but is now Carl DeMaio's assembly candidate committee per California state law. Reform California is legally "Carl DeMaio for State Assembly" and does not exist otherwise anymore.

2) Reform California with Carl DeMaio - Ballot Measure Committee (https://cal-access.sos.ca.gov/Campaign/Committees/Detail.aspx?id=1268914): This is a committee for raising and spending money on supporting ballot measures only.

3) Reform California Voter Guide (https://cal-access.sos.ca.gov/Campaign/Committees/Detail.aspx?id=1446747): This is a committee for funding distribution of voter guide.

So we have two options. Either we write broadly about the Reform California movement/umbrella led by DeMaio, or we stick with the fact on the single committee that was once Reform California and is now DeMaio's candidate committee. Djm1017 (talk) 10:42, 25 May 2026 (UTC)

To explain more - the sourcing/explanations you use on the voter guide fight are about the committee "Reform California Voter Guide" - which is not Reform California/ DeMaio's candidate committee. Reform California and DeMaio do have their own voter guide, yes. But the two are not necessarily related as they are different organizations distributing possibly different materials.Djm1017 (talk) 10:43, 25 May 2026 (UTC)

Your own Voice of San Diego source notes this in the CAGOP's letter they sent: "This letter constitutes a demand that you, your slate mailer organization Reform California Voter Guide (ID 1469001), and your website RepublicanVoterGuideCA.com immediately cease and desist..." Djm1017 (talk) 10:52, 25 May 2026 (UTC)

The article is very clearly about the wider movement of the same name...otherwise, why would elections from pre-2023ish be covered? It was simply changed to a candidate committee because of state law.

Reform California published the now-removed voter guide on their website. aesurias (ping me in your reply, or I won't see it) (talk) 11:01, 25 May 2026 (UTC)

No, the article you're referencing states the organization website as "RepublicanVoterGuideCA.com" https://republicanvoterguideca.com/ which says at bottom "PREPARED BY REFORM CALIFORNIA VOTER GUIDE"

The Reform California/ Carl DeMaio for Assembly voter guide is at https://www.reformcalifornia.org/voter-guides-list and says at the bottom "Paid for by Carl DeMaio for State Assembly"

These are different entities and guides. They're both related to DeMaio, but they're not the same thing. Djm1017 (talk) 11:21, 25 May 2026 (UTC)

Yes, the group has clearly been split into two separate but still-connected entities because of state law. Reliable, independent sources explicitly state that Reform California distributed the voter guide, and reliable, independent sources are what Wikipedia relies on. That article even quotes a Reform California staffer – Dylan Martin – defending the "RepublicanVoterGuideCA". Martin is listed on Reform California's website as their communications director. aesurias (ping me in your reply, or I won't see it) (talk) 11:33, 25 May 2026 (UTC)

Also, more independent coverage of their focus on opposition to new/increased taxes would be really good. It is clearly one of their main causes but I am struggling to find mentions of it that are not their own website. aesurias (ping me in your reply, or I won't see it) (talk) 05:16, 25 May 2026 (UTC)

Also, I'm just going to put it out there because it is pretty obvious from your edits – it's clear you have a connection with the group or DeMaio (whether that be as an employee or simply a supporter). This is not ideal, especially since you have not declared it, but if there is anything simple (such as the 2015 date) that you know to be plainly incorrect because of your own knowledge, please let me know. aesurias (ping me in your reply, or I won't see it) (talk) 05:20, 25 May 2026 (UTC)

Additionally, more independent sourcing about the Josh Newman stuff would be great. The group's website states that they had a large role in the recall movement, but I cannot find independent sources that even mention them together. aesurias (ping me in your reply, or I won't see it) (talk) 05:22, 25 May 2026 (UTC)

I found one! aesurias (ping me in your reply, or I won't see it) (talk) 05:22, 25 May 2026 (UTC)