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As far as we’re concerned Proposition 30, Gov. Jerry Brown’s tax hike, is just another way to shoot this state’s economy and put it out of its misery once and for all.
We found it interesting, listening to former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger being interviewed for his new book that he hated having to raise taxes, but was faced with a $40 billion deficit. He noted that Governors Wilson, Deukmejian and Reagan all had to raise taxes to cover deficits. Only Davis had a surplus as capital gains rolled in and he and the Legislature spent it like drunken sailors. He, of course, not only left Schwarzenegger with a gaping budget deficit but saddled the rest of us with high-priced electrical power contracts.
But we digress. The latest indignity to the taxpayers is the double whammy of Schwarzenegger’s global warming cap-and-trade legislation that is driving business out of this state and Gov. Brown’s proposed Prop. 30 tax hike.
California’s personal income tax rate progresses from 1 percent to 8 percent for a couple making up to $96,000. After that it rises to 9.3 percent for all other income brackets. Prop 30 would raise the top three brackets for seven years. And don’t believe for a moment that the legislators won’t get the seven-year itch to extend them further.
The Brown brackets start with10.3 percent for individuals making $250,000-$300,000 and couples making $500,000-$600,000. Then it is 11.3 percent for individuals making $300,000-$500,000 and couples making $600,000-$1 million. The top proposed rate is 12.3 percent for individuals making more than 500 grand and couples making more than $1 million.
But, wait, there’s more. In case any of the aforementioned happened to be business owners, the governor wants to be sure they have fewer customers because he wants to add a quarter cent to the sales tax for four years.
The income taxes will cause doctors to think about relocating to another state. It will cause business owners to shift out of state. The sales tax will damage retail businesses. And it won’t rake in anywhere near the $6 billion Brown thinks it will.
Brown promises to cut the $6 billion if his measure doesn’t pass. Promises, promises is all we get. Most of it, he claims will come from schools. We question whether he will want to run for reelection as the governor who cut $5 billion-$6 billion from schools out of pure orneriness. He would go down in history as the governor who was an old curmudgeon.
The Mountain Democrat recommends voting no on Proposition 30.
The Mountain Democrat does not necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full policy
Jim RiordanOctober 05, 2012 - 12:04 pm
Editor, I agree. NO on every single proposition that raises any taxes for any reasons. Time to stop this runaway train crap, period. As soon as the money runs out, send everyone home except Law Enforcement and Fire and then we voters can decide what and whom to bring back . . if any. Rent all the Government offices out cheap to allow private businesses to grow and PAY taxes instead of burning through them with no visible benefit to the people. More money for schools? You have got to be kidding! The school systems better wise up and 1) stop backing giving illegals free educations just to keep your classrooms full, stop free lunches , et al. and 2) do away with huge administrative salaries for people who cannot even see to it that students pass the lowest competency tests. Tests which would have been considered LESS than basic when I went to school. Yup those were the days of reasonable salaries, full classrooms taught by one teacher who knew how to keep students focused and disciplined while students actually learned math and reading comprehension basics . . . or they were sent home with extra homework until they did. Until school administrators actually accomplish this, proved by students' improved test scores on REAL tests, I don't care to hear about it. That tired cry of "give us more money and we will fix everything" is dead . . .so bury it. Vote no on all new taxes.
NancyOctober 06, 2012 - 7:37 am
I agree. NO on every new tax whether is is state or local.
DB SmithOctober 06, 2012 - 8:43 am
Thank you Editor, Jim and Nancy. Absolutely NO to more taxes but more accountability and positive results on how they use the existing taxes. Of course we had no choice on the forced FIRE TAX. TAX TAX TAX TAX. Stop the madness and please Vote NO on ANY additional taxes.
cookie65October 07, 2012 - 4:26 am
The left is terrified to face reality. The ones in charge, who do the thinking for all their lemmings know that the public sector in California is the next bubble to burst. This last ditch effort to postpone what is coming is based on the same old worn out class warfare that they lead the dumbdown masses around with. We will all get to witness the results of unimpeded liberalism. Once it has destroyed everything in its path it will begin to devour itself. If you think the government dependents are fighting over crumbs now, just wait.
Henry HorsechuckleOctober 07, 2012 - 8:37 am
"He would go down in history as the governor who was an old curmudgeon." He already looks that part!
DB SmithApril 24, 2013 - 7:29 pm
Remember Proposition 30? The magic tax increase that will solve all of our education problems. Moonbeam and his media said it will go to the kids in the classroom. They used the CTA and scare tactic TV commercials which worked very well with a bunch of sheep. The proposition was vaguely written so they could use the money as they see fit. They can even use those monies to help out with the $70 Billion shortfall in the Teachers Retirement Plans. Now Moonbeam is proposing to restructure on how much money per ADA goes to each school district. He wants to funnel MORE money to the school districts that are having trouble teaching kids to speak english and give LESS money to the school districts that are succeeding. Whatever happened to 8th grade preparatory Algebra? Too tough for the teachers to teach it anymore I guess. Seems like we are really going in the wrong direction and it also looks like a whole lot a sheep got duped again!