Court Ruling on Prop. 13

In response to “U.S. Justices Uphold Prop. 13 Tax Structure,� June 19:

In 1978, after Proposition 13 passed, my wife and I were elated at our property tax reduction from $1,500 to under $500 a year, but we were astonished that the tax on our seven-unit apartment building was reduced from $5,500 to $1,800.

Of course, we did not refuse the reduction, but after 12 years of dealing with the bureaucratic rent control agencies, we have often thought our blessing a nightmare in disguise.

If the tax on our seven-unit apartment were 1% of its present value, it would be around $10,000, an expense we could comfortably afford. So it’s obvious that Stephanie Nordlinger and other post-Prop. 13 property owners are paying the way for ourselves and much wealthier landlords.

So much for the Supreme Court of the land!

FRANK L. BURKE, Los Angeles