VOTE KUMAR FOR
ASSESSOR TO EXEMPT 60+ AGE GROUP FROM PROPERTY TAXES
“CUT TAXES…
PUT YOUR MONEY BACK WHERE IT BELONGS––IN YOUR POCKET”
Rishi Kumar Advances Property Tax Exemption Ballot Initiative
Rishi Kumar is moving forward with a bold ballot initiative to provide property tax relief for Californians aged 60 and over with an amendment of Proposition 13 that will grant them a full exemption on property taxes for their primary residence. The amendment statement has been officially submitted to California’s Office of Legislative Counsel for review and feedback.
This amendment is designed to protect seniors from losing their home to rising taxes. Seniors who have spent their lives contributing to California’s communities will get to remain in their homes without the burden of property taxes. The exemption would apply solely to primary residences and only when at least one titleholder is 60 years or older, providing a simple, fair, and age-based path for the exemption. See the press release at RishiKumar.com/Seniors
For seniors, the choice is clear: a vote for Rishi Kumar is a vote to defend your home, your retirement savings, and your peace of mind.
The Elephant in the Room...Addressing the Deficit
I am often asked this question:
“Rishi, if seniors are exempted from property taxes, will taxes go up for younger residents—or will funding for schools be cut?”
Let’s take a closer look at Santa Clara County to elaborate on this. The proposed property tax exemption would create a shortfall of approximately $1.5 to $2 billion out of a total annual property tax revenue of $7 billion.
However, much of the county’s budget already suffers from significant bloat. For example, we lose roughly $1 billion each year operating an underperforming VTA Light Rail and Bus system. In healthcare, operational spending has ballooned from $1.5 billion in 2018 to $7 billion today, despite serving the same population size.
My plan maintains full funding for schools, the Sheriff’s Office, and essential services, while cutting unnecessary county bloat. Even after addressing the exemption, we would still come out $4 billion in surplus.
The message is clear: it’s time for the county to cut the fat and operate efficiently.
Chao: Santa Clara County’s next assessor should be a reformer, not an insider
Who has gotten the free media in this race?
Here’s an interesting article by Mayor Chao from Cupertino recently published in the San Jose Spotlight. It offers valuable insight into what true success should look like for the Assessor’s Office and why leadership matters most. “
An Honor....
Dear neighbors,
Property tax reform is sweeping the county and I’m all for it!
My name’s Rishi Kumar and I’m honored to be running for County Assessor.
I am seeking your vote — here’s why:
I am the only candidate in this race who supports a property tax exemption for ages 60+. No one should lose their home to rising taxes. Today, 16 states* across the U.S. have already provided tax relief for seniors. If they can do it, so can we!
I’m the only proven tax fighter in this race: I’ve never supported a tax increase.
I will always cut waste, not raise taxes!
I am the only candidate in this race who has pledged to protect Prop 13. Career politicians want to gut Prop 13 and raise your taxes — because for them, it’s never enough. But your home is not their piggy bank. I see it as your safe haven and I’ll fight to protect you.
As a Saratoga councilmember, I successfully fought rate hikes from San Jose Water Company and PG&E — and I’m the only one in this race to do so.
Saratoga reelected me with the highest vote count in 70 years because they know that integrity and incorruptibility aren’t just words—they define me.
I’m the only candidate ready to modernize the Assessor’s office from day one: As a C-suite software executive, with proven leadership in finance, operations, and IT modernization—and as the author of a book on Artificial Intelligence—I bring battle-tested expertise.
This election is about trust. I will always fight for your interests, not the special interests—and I’m ready to do the same for our homes, our families, and our future.
Vote Rishi Kumar for County Assessor…
It’s time to exempt seniors from property taxes and protect Prop 13.
I would be honored to have your vote.
*Currently,16 states exempt seniors from a portion of their property taxes. Explore this growing movement yourself by asking your favorite AI engine: “Explain the senior property tax exemptions that are currently in place or proposed across the U.S.”
Rishi Kumar's Agenda as County Assessor
A Piece of Paper...
(Much Ado about Nothing)
I’m a mechanical engineer by education with a proven hi-tech record leading P&L, finance, operations, and IT modernization. I’ve authored a book on Artificial Intelligence, and I have received many technical certifications through the course of my career.
The Board of Equalization (BOE) is responsible for certifying persons engaged in performing the duties of an appraiser or an assessment analyst for property tax purposes. The Assessor’s Office already employs many certified appraisers, and the elected Assessor has a full year to earn certification through the BOE. The only valid certification for this role is from the BOE – not a real estate appraiser’s license.
But let me state this: this job isn’t about electing someone to do property appraisals—it’s much more than that. It’s about leading a $43 million agency with a team of 262 and fixing a system in crisis.
The Assessor’s Office has $120 billion tied up in appeals—delayed by outdated technology, poor morale, and failed leadership. Legacy COBOL systems still run core functions and upgrade hasn’t happened for decades. A recent FGOC audit confirmed major issues. And a 2022 County Employee Pulse Survey ranked the office in the bottom 5% of all departments.
Meanwhile, our county is facing a major deficit and pushing for a sales tax hike. That makes accurate, timely property assessments all the more important — as this money is so needed for critical services, our schools, infrastructure, and essential services.
I bring what this moment demands: deep experience in modernization and leadership experience as a C-suite tech executive and elected official. I’ve managed large teams, implemented enterprise-scale systems, and delivered results to my community without raising taxes ever.
You aren’t electing an appraiser. You are electing a property tax reformer, who will cut waste and make government work for the people. That’s the real test for who should lead the Assessor’s Office.
Certification is standard procedure (and you can get certified after being elected). What’s not standard is the opportunity we have to fix a broken system and deliver real results to the people of our county.
...
PROACTIVE LEADERSHIP
"In 1978, California voters approved Proposition 8, giving counties the authority to temporarily reduce property tax assessments when real estate values decline. As your County Assessor, I will ensure these reductions are applied automatically whenever property values decline—so you get a property tax credit without having to fight through bureaucratic "clear as mud" appeal process and red tape.
I’ll make sure you automatically get the property tax reduction you deserve — no appeal needed. This reform is decades overdue, and I will fix it once and for all."
- Rishi Kumar
Rishi Kumar has been elected to the following..
Two consecutive terms on the Saratoga City Council
Executive Board (multiple terms) to the California Democratic Party
Delegate (multiple terms) to the California Democratic Party
Board member (multiple terms) of the California Democratic Party API Caucus
Bernie DNC Delegate 2016
Biden DNC Delegate 2024
Central Committee Delegate, Santa Clara County Democratic Party
Appointed to the following..
Governor’s University of California Regents committee
California Department of Education’s K-12 public school computer science curriculum implementation panel – the curriculum is now live for every public school child
Bay Area Indian American Democratic Club, President
NLC Asian Pacific American Municipal Officials APAMO Board member
Director – CA League of Cities API Caucus
Member National League of Cities, Energy and Environmental Resources Committee
League of CA Cities Employee Relations Policy Committee
League of CA Cities Administrative Policy Committee
Commissions and Boards
Santa Clara Valley Water Commission
Santa Clara County Library District Board of Directors
West Valley Clean Water Program Authority Board of Directors
West Valley Solid Waste Management Authority Board of Directors
Saratoga Ministerial Association
Saratoga Chamber of Commerce
