Posted on 04/06/2006 9:44:56 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
SACRAMENTO – Treasurer Phil Angelides staked his campaign for the Democratic nomination for governor yesterday on a bold, if politically risky, proposal: raising taxes to fully fund schools.
Although he has talked about increasing taxes before, Angelides made it the central theme of his campaign in a speech to supporters and later during his first debate with his June 6 primary rival, state Controller Steve Westly.
Angelides pledged to close corporate tax “loopholes” and to raise taxes on the wealthy to roll back tuition increases at state colleges and universities, expand financial aid and increase funding for schools, including doubling the number of high school counselors.
At both appearances, Angelides used his willingness to raise taxes to suggest he is more committed to education than Westly.
“Steve Westly mouths support for education, just like (Governor) Arnold Schwarzenegger, but he won't do the real work to make it happen,” Angelides contended.
Westly said Angelides has “never seen a tax he doesn't like.” He also said the treasurer has supported raising income and sales taxes as well as taxes on alcohol and farm equipment.
“I believe raising taxes is the last resort,” said Westly, who added that he favors raising revenues through tax amnesty programs and crackdowns on illegal tax shelters.
Angelides, who began the race as the front-runner, has seen his lead drop in the polls and faces the prospect of being outspent by Westly, who is financing much of his campaign from the fortune he made as an executive of eBay, the Internet auction site.
In the past, Angelides has barely mentioned his rival by name, preferring to focus on his own campaign. Yesterday, he repeatedly criticized Westly by name and claimed the status of underdog.
Angelides said Westly did not support legislation to require large employers to offer health care; worked with Schwarzenegger, a Republican, at a time when he was proposing to slash social services; and has gone “back and forth” on the need to raise taxes to pay for education.
“You can count on my record. You can't count on his word,” Angelides said.
Westly fired back that Angelides' abrupt switch in tactics was prompted by his loss of momentum.
“He's going negative because he knows he's falling behind, and desperate candidates do desperate things,” Westly told reporters after the debate, which was taped at KUVS-TV, the Sacramento station of the Spanish-language Univision network. The debate will be broadcast statewide on Univision stations at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Angelides, who made millions as a developer before becoming state treasurer, said he began contrasting his record with Westly's because the race is coming down to the wire.
His decision to highlight a tax increase proposal is extremely rare in California politics. Tony Quinn, co-editor of the California Target Book, which analyzes state politics, said he can't recall any California Democrat running for governor on tax increases.
“He seems to be gambling that only liberal Democrats will vote in a closed primary,” Quinn said.
California's unusual budget rules require a two-thirds vote of the Legislature to raise taxes. That means Angelides, if he became governor, would have to round up some Republican votes for his proposal, unless Democrats could significantly expand their majorities in the Assembly and state Senate in the fall.
In past years, Republican lawmakers have stood united against any tax increases. Schwarzenegger has also opposed tax increases.
Democrats counter that Schwarzenegger's budget proposals have relied on tuition increases and benefit cuts that amount to taxes on the poor and middle class.
Angelides said he would seek to get back some of the $17 billion in tax breaks gained by Californians in upper-income brackets and by corporations through federal and state policies.
He said he could get about $500 million a year by raising corporate tax rates to previous levels, about $20 million by closing loopholes that benefit corporations that set up overseas headquarters, and more money by rolling back a state tax break for diesel fuel.
Angelides, like Westly, supports Proposition 82, which would increase taxes on wealthier households to pay for universal pre-school.
Both candidates staked out similar positions on a variety of issues during the debate, including support for a requirement that large employers pay for health care for their workers and allowing illegal immigrants to have a path to citizenship.
Angelides, at a speech in front of 100 supporters, accused Westly of being too cozy with Schwarzenegger. “I don't believe we defeat Arnold Schwarzenegger by accommodation,” he said, referring to Westly's decision to campaign with Schwarzenegger in 2004 on behalf of two budget measures, Propositions 57 and 58.
During the debate, Westly said he has often opposed Schwarzenegger but that in 2004 he backed measures that prevented the state from going bankrupt. Westly portrayed himself as a “practical problem-solver.”
Angelides portrayed himself as a fighter willing to engage in tough battles on behalf of working families and children.
“I'm a state treasurer who's never shied away from the tough, uphill fights,” he said.
Better to just borrow the money instead.
It's for all the illegals children, yaknow.
We're not overspending, heavens-to-Betsy no. We're UNDERTAXED! Next, let's get rid of that durn Prop 13.
As if the state Educracy isn't already overfunded by a factor of three.
How much more funded can CA schools get? We are in a morass of spending now and this idiot want's more taxes. Typical democrat and, lately, typical republican. All they know how to do is spend money and get no results. Funny how we used to spend less on schools and get kids who were educated in the process and now we spend more and get kids who are brainwashed into thinking America is the worst nation in the world. We need fewer funds and fewer politicans and down with public schools.
Next, let's get rid of that durn Prop 13.
In due time, that is the prize Big Enchilada that unions and liberals alike seek and work toward tirelessly.
Vote Arnold.
No one who runs on a platform of raising taxes is elected to governor in California.
Bustamecha tried and lost. Now, it's Phil's turn.
It would seem that he really doesn't want to be governor, after all.
Gotta fund all those illegals children who are coming to California for amnesty!
Plus, gotta continue funding the over 3 million illegals children who are already here.
Stick it where the sun don't shine Angelides!
I'm still sticking it out there and predicting voters will sucker for another rich fella, Westly over the Gubinator in the fall general.
He's a GRay Lite vs. aRnie who has morphed into a Gray Heavy.
It's too bad we can't have a candidate who is a fiscally responsible choice for Gub, huh?
Contrasting the California I moved to in the early 70's to today brings a tear to my eye.
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just in from CRA
Governor promotes $7.9 billion "tax increase" on California businesses, in name of "global warming"
Governor Is Urged To Push For Monitoring Of Emissions
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-greenhouse3apr03,1,7009057.story?coll=la-headlines-business
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's top environmental advisors, in a report on how to combat global warming, are recommending that the state require power plant operators and other heavy industries to report the amount of greenhouse gas they emit. The report, which is expected to be released by the Schwarzenegger administration today, is the first step in fulfilling the governor's pledge last year to enact firm targets for reducing carbon dioxide pollution beginning as early as 2010.
Great. Raise more taxes on the producers and investors in California, the people who take the risks and create our jobs. First raise their taxes to pay for universal pre-school, then to "fully fund" education, whatever that means. Soon we'll have driven everyone who creates businesses and jobs out of California and the state will be nothing but illegal aliens. Maybe if we started controlling our borders and kicking out some of these illegals, we'd not have such a funding crunch for schools since they're the ones who are straining classroom and budgetary capacity here.
Better yet, let's track them down in their workplaces, demand payroll records and force them to pay 50% taxes on their incomes to pay for all the demands they're placing on this state and its institutions and infrastructure instead of raising taxes on those who work hard, create jobs and prosperity and play by the rules.
But no we won't do that because illegal aliens are a protected caste here in California. California's new state motto needs to be "Of the illegal alien, by the illegal alien, for the illegal alien." They're the only ones prospering here.
We figured all that out a long time ago. We have been waiting for hubby's retirement. It has now happened and our target date for leaving is 2007. I can't wait!
We are ceding California back to Mexico. They can have it!
We left California March 6th...for good.
The massive reconquista marches began soon after.
Angelides wants to raise taxes to pay for the burden of illegals.
The SF board of supervisors is spending time passing resolutions against my Catholic Church....
I can't help but feel we got out of there in the nick of time.
I've never been one to cut and run. But we thank God every day that we were able to.
Sad.
Where'd ya end up at?
Make sure and change your state flag on your profile. ;-)
Wow! A RAT that wants to raise taxes, who would ever have thought of that!!
I'm going to cross over in the primary. Any of you guys have thoughts on which of these two nitwits Republicans should vote for to support the distasteful but, in my mind, necessary, agenda of re-electing Arnold in November?
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