CA: Split-roll property tax? Be very afraid.

OC Register ^ | 6/5/05 | Steven Greenhut

[NormsRevenge]

As a longtime observer of government, I've come to realize that no matter how much public money one gives to any government agency or group of government workers, it will absolutely, positively not be enough. The unions representing the agency's workers will always cry poor-mouth, always find ways to shake down the taxpayer for more money.

California's public school system consumes more than 40 percent of the budget, guaranteed by constitutional decree, and the governor's budget would increase educationspending by more than 7 percent, yet we've all witnessed the California Teachers Association and its unceasing anti-Arnold rallies and overheated "you're starving the kids" rhetoric.

Under Gov. Gray Davis, the California Correctional Peace Officers Association - the prison guards - received a 37 percent pay raise, and these workers receive some of the most generous pension benefits in the nation. ...

--snip--

Called the California Tax Fairness Act, this initiative would impose on California what is called "split rolls" for taxing property. There would be two separate tax rates - one for homeowners, who would retain Prop. 13 protections, and another for commercial property owners...

--snip--

This state has a notoriously hostile climate for those who invest, create jobs and operate rental units that house so many California residents. The majority Democrats in the Legislaturethink of business as barely a step above evil, and they always are looking to increase income taxes and regulations on them. ..

--snip--

Which brings me to an initiative that will almost certainly be on the November ballot: Paycheck Protection. This would require unions to get consent from their members before simply hitting them with higher dues to pay for these kamikaze political campaigns.

Vote for that one, and maybe we'll put an end to split rolls and other economy-sapping, freedom-destroying union initiatives.

[EagleUSA]

I have a better idea for not only our state, but for America. Put an issue on the ballot to disban unions and start making their parasite members stand on their own two feet. Perform or perish. No more extortion of the taxpayer.

[bigsigh]

Arnold pressured the prison guards to take 15% instead of 37% which they had received by bribing Gray Davis. They do get an increase in their pension in January.

[bigsigh]

public employee unions should be banned from campaigning for or contributing to politicians with whom they negotiate their pay and benefits and who vote for the expenditures on those contracts. Clear conflict of interest and institutionalizes bribery.

[kitkat]

***I have a better idea for not only our state, but for America. Put an issue on the ballot to disban unions and start making their parasite members stand on their own two feet. Perform or perish. No more extortion of the taxpayer. ***

Oh, if ONLY we could.

[FairOpinion]

"California's public school system consumes more than 40 percent of the budget, guaranteed by constitutional decree, "

==

Arnold is trying to change that, and repeal Prop 98, which is what gave this mandatory funding to schools.

"The ad goes on to promote Schwarzenegger's so-called Live Within our Means Act, a budget balancing measure that would, among other things, dissolve the minimum school funding requirement known as Proposition 98."

CA: New Schwarzenegger ad claims Dems seek tax increases

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1415408/posts

[FairOpinion]

"California's public school system consumes more than 40 percent of the budget, guaranteed by constitutional decree, "

==

Arnold is trying to change that, and repeal Prop 98, which is what gave this mandatory funding to schools.

"The ad goes on to promote Schwarzenegger's so-called Live Within our Means Act, a budget balancing measure that would, among other things, dissolve the minimum school funding requirement known as Proposition 98."

CA: New Schwarzenegger ad claims Dems seek tax increases

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1415408/posts

[Main Street]

I heard a woman call in to an investment talk show, with questions about her upcoming retirement. Should she roll over her 401k, put her money here or there,etc . All the while she very reluctant to give any specific information of where she worked, what she did for a living. Finally the host got her to fess up. She was retiring at age 60, after working for the California government for 30 years, with a lifetime guaranteed pension of $75,000 a year. No wonder the California taxpayer is getting hosed.

[Main Street]

I heard a woman call in to an investment talk show, with questions about her upcoming retirement. Should she roll over her 401k, put her money here or there,etc . All the while she very reluctant to give any specific information of where she worked, what she did for a living. Finally the host got her to fess up. She was retiring at age 60, after working for the California government for 30 years, with a lifetime guaranteed pension of $75,000 a year. No wonder the California taxpayer is getting hosed.

[bigsigh]

If she was not a peace officer she could get up to 100%. 2.5 x 40 years. If she did 30 and got 75% she could be at 90% (30 x 3%) if she was a cop. At the upper manmagement or medical or scientific salaries very doabble.

[atomic_dog]

I am really afraid that they may sneak this one past gullible voters. The great drawback of Prop 13 was that it did not in anyway limit the growth of government. Cities have learned that they can overspend and then go to the voters and cry that that they're out of money and unless new taxes are approved they will have to cut something vital like Police or Fire protection.

The goofy thing is this works most of the time. This is like my wife splurging at Macy's and then telling me she can't afford any food with the household budget. I tell you that would only happen once and I would see to it that she would not have any discretion over spending.

Until this is done with a constitutional amendment with hard caps on all government spending (theoretically usually set a % population growth + % inflation) nothing will change. Nothing.

[bigsigh]

another example of women employees. Many young women start with the state at age 18 in office jobs. Some get a degree and move into management opr even peace officer jobs. If they move up a few levels they could easily make 8-9000 per year now and retire after putting in 37 years. At age 55 they would get 2.5% at retirement. Times 37 years that's 92.5% of their highest year of pay for retirement. Or if a peace officer they top at 90%. Not too shabby and I know a couple of examples. Retired superintnedents of Youth Authority Facilities.

[FairOpinion]

"working for the California government for 30 years, with a lifetime guaranteed pension of $75,000 a year. "


Gee, I should get a job with the State of CA! ;)

Doing nothing for 30 years, getting paid gobs of money, then retiring with a fat pension. You can imagine how much salary she was making, if her pension is $75K!

[LaraCroft]

What in Gods green earth does "another example of women employees" have to do with the story?

Am I missing something here?

[heleny]

I am really afraid that they may sneak this one past gullible voters.

Hopefully most of the commercial landowners (especially large employers) will band together and oppose this.

[editor-surveyor]

This is the old divide and conquer; they've tried it before

[calcowgirl]

Arnold pressured the prison guards to take 15% instead of 37% which they had received by bribing Gray Davis. They do get an increase in their pension in January.

He only deferred the raises, and he promised other benefits, including reduced work week and increased benefits in return. Despite the deferral, prison spending is up.

www.igs.berkeley.edu/library

In early July, the Schwarzenegger administration reached a deal with the CCPOA that would delay the scheduled union pay raise by several years. While not a reversal of the contract, the compromise is expected to save $108 million in 2004-2005. Instead of receiving the original 10.9 percent raise, the guards received 5 percent on July 1st and are scheduled for another 5.9 percent on Jan. 1, 2005 . The 2005 and 2006 pay raises would also pay out every six months. In return for agreeing to the deferral, the CCPOA won guarantees against layoffs for two years, additional healthcare for guards at rural prisons, more control for supervisors and shorter weeks for local union officers.

On July 21st, U.S. District judge Judge Thelton Henderson, publicly condemned the deal that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger struck with the state's prison guards union, saying it gives the union too much power. In a letter he sent to the Schwarzenegger administration, Henderson said that he was considering appointing a receiver to run the state Corrections Department and demanded a meeting with the governor.

[calcowgirl]

A sure fire way to incentivize businesses to abandon California, that's for sure.

[Nam Vet]

We have some state employees retiring at over 100% of their salaries up here. In addition, some of the well-connected big boys retire early and then go onto consulting contracts that approximate their original salaries. Of course, the dims have had the governorship for decades and judges retire before an election so new ones can be appointed by the dim governor. Neat set-up, huh?

This state is lost. FUBAR for those who know the meaning. I remember back when public 'servants' could NOT strike and Congress was NOT a 'year around' job.

Nam Vet

[bigsigh]

The raise was deferred, but also reduced to 15%.