Posts
California's Democratic leaders were planning a vote today on a brazen proposal to raise gas, sales and income taxes through a series of legal maneuvers that would bypass the Legislature's minority Republicans.You will see similar fights in almost every state legislature, as the slowing economy reduces revenues, leading to budget crises.
The Democratic gambit, announced Wednesday, would raise $9.3 billion to ease the state's fiscal crisis by increasing sales taxes by three-fourths of a cent and gas taxes by 13 cents a gallon, starting in February. The plan would add a surcharge of 2.5% to
everyone's 2009 state income tax bill. . . .
Both the Assembly and Senate planned to vote on the package today. Late Wednesday, Democratic lawmakers were negotiating with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger over items he wanted included in the proposal before he would support it.
Inside the Capitol, the strategy is considered revolutionary, because it would sideline the GOP. Though Republicans are a minority in both houses of the Legislature, they have repeatedly blocked tax increases and thwarted budgets they did not like, because California is one of only three states mandating a two-thirds vote for both budgets and tax increases.
Kids with Cancer as a Prop and Talking Point (And a Christmas Miracle)!
-
One of the arguments I’ve been making over the past few years is that
nobody should be surprised at the level of deceit, double dealing and
corruption in t...
4 hours ago
Here is my regret. I VOTED for Gov. Benedict Arnold. Not once, but TWICE! If the GOP puts up an idiot like this in 2010, I sit it out. We really need Bill Simon to run again. He would win this time!
ReplyDeleteAnd not one state anywhere, I am sure, will attempt to deal with its budget crisis by proposing to spend less. What a horror that would be.
ReplyDeleteBut..But.. the wise minds of DC are spending their way out of the problem, why won't it work for the states too? /sarcasmOff
ReplyDelete