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SACRAMENTO – George Runner recently highlighted a new report by the Tax Foundation showing that the average Californian’s tax burden worsened in 2010.
“At a time when Californians could least afford it, our state and local tax burden was among the highest in the nation,” said Runner. “This new report provides further proof that by every measure Californians are overtaxed.”
The Tax Foundation’s Annual State-Local Tax Burden Ranking estimates the average total tax burden for residents of each state. This method takes the point of view of the individual taxpayer, counting all taxes he or she pays, no matter to which state they are paid.
According to the report, Californians paid 11.2 percent of their income in state and local taxes in 2010 — the fourth highest tax burden of any state. Only residents of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut paid more.
In 2010 the average California resident earned $43,919 but paid $4,934 in state and local taxes — $3,953 to state and local government in California and $981 to governments in other states.
Runner hopes that next year’s report will show some progress given the July 1, 2011 expiration of California’s temporary tax increases. But he also cautioned that future tax burdens remain uncertain.
“Sacramento politicians are always scheming up new and creative ways to take more of your hard-earned dollars,” warned Runner. “Taxpayers must remain vigilant, knowing that jobs, not higher taxes, are the best way to ensure our state’s prosperity.”
The full study is available at taxfoundation.org.
Elected in November 2010, George Runner represents more than nine million Californians as a member of the State Board of Equalization. For more information, visit www.boe.ca.gov/Runner.
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ScottNovember 02, 2012 - 9:59 am
We needed yet another official report to tell us we're being overtaxed?!? And how much did this study cost us? It never ceases to amaze me that it costs taxpayers so much to tell us something so blatently obvious. What's next, an expensive study to tell us milk is white?
jim RiordanNovember 02, 2012 - 11:45 am
The more I hear from George Runner, so far, more I like him.
RobinNovember 02, 2012 - 7:50 pm
Scott, The Tax Foundation is a 501(C)(3) organization. Unless you supported them as an individual, a philanthropist or perhaps a corporation that you are employed by, you paid ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for this report. I recommend that you do some research before you post comments about wasting taxpayers money. Additionally, I recommend you visit their website to educate yourself a little further about what they actually do. If you had done so before posting your comment, you most likely would not have said what you did. The information is out there for anyone to see if they would only do a little work to find it.
JohnNovember 04, 2012 - 8:23 pm
Overtaxed in relation to what or whom? And what does California get in return for its taxes compared to other states? George Runner sounds like another Grover Norquist, grinding a personal axe under the guise of 'studies'. For all anti-tax types, I suggest you live 14 years in third-world countries ruled by plutocrats (known here as Republicans) as I did: countries with no tax systems--and no schools, no roads, no quality of life and an average lifespan of 40 years or so. No matter Mr. Runner's spin, there is a direct correlation between high-tax countries and good education, good health services and long life spans. Start with Scandinavia and work your way to New Zealand, Mr. Runner: you might learn something.