Fires now being used to argue against cutting CA car tax!

KNX (Los Angeles CBS radio news station)

[Cousin Eddie]

Just heard an interview on the radio. They're saying that Arnold always qualified his "no new taxes" pledge by stating that a calamity like a natural disaster would be an exception. Using the typical excuses that the localities need the car tax revenue (supposedly the car tax revenue is funneled to the local jurisdictions) to cover the costs of these disasters.

I have no idea if this is being floated by Arnold's people or by the Democrats who are doing everything possible to maintain this confiscatory tax.

[ambrose]

ping.

[sheik yerbouty]

It almost makes me think that there were Demorats with matches out there.

[Pukin Dog]

The point has already been reported, that California has lost more revenue from reduced car sales taxes due to the increase, then they would have gained from the average number of sales prior to the increase. Therefore, if they dont lower the car tax, they LOSE more money.

[muleskinner]

Yeah, this crossed my mind once the fires got out of control and more than a few houses burnt. But FEMA and other federal agencies ought to cover the bulk.

We'll see what Arnold says.

[muleskinner]

I did over hear some car salesmen saying their business has been down about 50%.

[absalom01]

I'm shocked, shocked! that they would try this.

Not.

Note to self: must circulate the car-tax petition again this weekend.

[BIGZ]

Toro Caca.

[Uncle Hal]

The LA times had an editorial today saying the increased car tax was necessary to fund such things as firefighters, using the latest fires as an example. When ever there is a threat to cut taxes the libs always bring up cutting fire and police protection, never anything else. The libs have no shame.

[Cousin Eddie]

The drop in early October was predicatable. Anyone thinking of buying a car in the next month or so would have gone out in September to do the deal. The drop in October wasn't really a drop...just moved up to September. Eventually it picks back up because cars wear out and need to be replaced.

[TheAngryClam]

You called it, ambrose.

Arnold tax hike ping.

[John Jorsett]

As soon as I saw the scope of the disaster, I knew this argument would emerge. I doubt that it's Schwarzenegger's people doing it; there's a contingent in Sacramento that will fight for every tax dollar and want more, and any excuse will be used to justify it.

[truth_seeker]

People I know are REALLY PISSED about higher vehicle renewal fees. REALLY PISSED.

The local governments didn't have the increased revenues last year. Got along. That is a BS argument.

Howard Jarvis realized the ONLY way to curb governments' appetite for YOUR money, was to keep them from having it.

That was the guiding basis, for Prop. 13.

Same logic applies to car tax. The proposition with signature efforts underway, will seek to eliminate the tax, not just reduce it, hopefully. IOW to take back MORE than the increase amojnt.

That is how dems need to be punished.

[ambrose]

Perhaps we can start a betting pool as to when the emergency is declared?

[ambrose]

Car dealers are now offering to "pay" for the car tax. I wonder who is falling for that one? They'll pay for your car tax, but then give you $600 less on the trade-in.

On the evening news, they interviewed a woman who said she couldn't afford to get a new car because of the car tax, but the salesman closed the deal when they agreed to pay the car tax. She bought a $30k SUV. LOL.

[Pukin Dog]

Not going to happen, Ambrose.

The Car Tax is going away, and Arnold will NOT be raising taxes. People out here will howl and scream, but spending is going to be cut by commission, in order to insulate State Congresspersons from their votes.

[snopercod]

Roger Hedgecock (sitting in for Rush) today said that the month after Davis signed the car tax, new car sales dropped by 30% in San Diego. The next month, they dropped another 30%.

He pointed out that the state lost more in sales tax than they would have gained from the car tax.

[ElkGroveDan]

You called it, ambrose.

Arnold tax hike ping.

My take is that they don't even need the fires. Lacking a real disaster, someone would call that massive algae bloom in the Salton Sea a natural disaster worthy of triggering a massive tax increase.

[snopercod]

Perhaps we can start a betting pool as to when the emergency is declared?

Hell, Davis still has his emergency powers left over from the energy crisis of 2001 - he renews them every month just in case he wants to nationalize a power plant or the transmission grid or something...