California commission considers tax changes

Sac Bee ^ | 4/10/09 | Kevin Yamamura

[NormsRevenge]

It seemed appropriate that a panel examining ways to overhaul the state's tax structure met Thursday in the academic confines of UC Davis rather than the politically charged Capitol.

The discussion focused on the theoretical, from examining the merits of a flat income tax to considering a "split-roll" property tax system that treats commercial businesses differently from homeowners.

The daylong meeting occurred largely in a political vacuum, for now ignoring the difficulty of getting such ideas through a divided state Legislature where special interests hold great sway.

But Chairman Gerald Parsky said the state's current fiscal woes may allow for a substantial overhaul despite the usual political dynamics.

"Sometimes when you're in a form of crisis, it gives you an opportunity to make major change," Parsky said.

[NormsRevenge]

"Sometimes when you're in a form of crisis, it gives you an opportunity to make major change," Parsky said.

--

RahmSpeak?

[NormsRevenge]

Parsky Ping

[sfvgto]

it’s always “raise tax”, it’s never “cut spending”

[Oldexpat]

Listen up Egg Heads. CA’s current crop of retirees is very dependent on the continuation of Prop 13 for their survival and for remaining in CA rather than leaving an moving to a income free tax state. Any change to Prop 13 could also wipe out a lot of small business’s who own their own property and couldn’t afford current taxes.
If Prop 13 was changed..it would not be revenue neutral it would only be to raise more revenue.

[Myrddin]

I can guess what the RATS have in mind for the property tax. Crank up the rates on the commercial property owners. That will drive more businesses out of the state. More brilliant thinking.

[psjones]

I wonder how much time they spend finding ways to cut spending versus how much time they spend trying to come up with more ways to tax us. No matter how much they tax us, it’s just never enough.

[twistedwrench]

“considering a “split-roll” property tax system that treats commercial businesses differently from homeowners.”

This is probably the main goal. Business owners can’t out vote
anyone in this state, and it shows. If this passes, It will be the
little nudge for a lot of business owners to make the difficult
decision to leave. I am one of them.

[Myrddin]

This is probably the main goal. Business owners can’t out vote anyone in this state, and it shows. If this passes, It will be the little nudge for a lot of business owners to make the difficult decision to leave. I am one of them.

You could try to inform your employees that the proposed change will likely cost their jobs. Urge them to contact their representatives. If that fails, you simply follow through and find a more business friendly location.

[bill1952]

Strangely, I don’t see anything in there about how to downsize government spending...

So, what’s the difference how you carve the turkey?
It gets cut up and eaten all the same.

[twistedwrench]

Unfortunately, it’s out of our hands. After 50 years and 3 generations,
All my employees, aren’t employees, Their family.
I know their feelings and know how they vote, Even without coercion LOL.

This state is like a bad dream.

[calcowgirl]

Have Parsky and Buffett been plotting to do away with Prop 13, I wonder?

[pogo101]

Notice how the headline says they’re tax “changes.” Of course, they’re INCREASES, but the Bee prefers to call them ... changes.

Didn’t David Bowie have a hit with “Increases”?

[Myrddin]

This state is like a bad dream.

That's why I left. The good folks at Buck Knife returned to their roots in Idaho after many years operating out of El Cajon, CA. Many employees followed the company.