Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

California coalition backs tax hikes over budget cuts
Sac Bee ^ | 3/8/08 | Judy Lin

Posted on 03/08/2008 8:20:24 AM PST by NormsRevenge

Rather than point the state budget ax at each other, a broad spectrum of interest groups has joined forces in a battle to press Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and lawmakers to raise taxes.

Groups representing nearly every state general fund service – education, labor, public safety, environment, health care and social services – have formed an alliance to oppose the governor's proposal for 10 percent across-the-board cuts.

Members say the goal of the newly formed umbrella coalition, which has yet to be named, is to raise public awareness about the effect of cuts and press elected officials into supporting revenue increases.

--snip--

Coalition members say it's too early to identify specific taxes they would support. They have established committees to focus on lobbying efforts in and out of Sacramento. If they're not successful in the Legislature, the effort could lead to a ballot initiative.

--snip--

For his part, the governor's recent rhetoric signals more acceptance of increasing revenues.

"I will not raise taxes on the people of California, because they are already paying enough taxes," he said in January when he proposed his budget. Last week, he said "we should go after those tax loopholes" to provide more revenue.

--snip--

Republican lawmakers, on the other hand, continued to oppose tax increases based on what they perceive as government's inability to control spending. General fund spending has increased more than 32 percent in five years.

"If the state of California were to go to a debt counselor, they'd say, 'Do you have a cell phone? Get rid of it. Do you have a credit card? Get the scissors,' " said Sen. Dave Cox, R-Fair Oaks.

(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Politics/Elections; US: California
KEYWORDS: budgetcuts; california; coalition; taxhikes
Members say the goal of the newly formed umbrella coalition, which has yet to be named, is to raise public awareness about the effect of cuts and press elected officials into supporting revenue increases.

--

revenue increases = tax hikes

anyone have a name for this new coalition? hmmmm? ;-)

The Straight Into the Abyss Express ?

1 posted on 03/08/2008 8:20:25 AM PST by NormsRevenge
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
..the newly formed umbrella coalition, which has yet to be named,...

CPUSA?

2 posted on 03/08/2008 8:21:58 AM PST by facedown (Armed in the Heartland)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: facedown

RECALL! RECALL!RECALL!


3 posted on 03/08/2008 8:24:19 AM PST by redstateconfidential (If you are the smartest person in the room,you are hanging out with the wrong people.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

We’re gonna vote with our feet and leave just as soon as we can.


4 posted on 03/08/2008 8:29:24 AM PST by stboz
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

“Members say the goal of the newly formed umbrella coalition, which has yet to be named, is to raise public awareness about the effect of cuts and press elected officials into supporting revenue increases.”

That will be the last thing that increases after everyone starts bailing out. Brilliant strategy, economy heading into a slowdown, lets raise taxes.

Yeah, that’s the ticket!


5 posted on 03/08/2008 8:41:58 AM PST by headstamp 2 (Been here before)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

This economy is already headed into a major trainwreck. I’m finding it hard to believe how fast things are unraveling out there in the field among the small businesses I deal with. When the layoffs come, and they will come soon, they will be devastating. Tax increases would be like tying an anvil around our necks and throwing it off a pier.

We’re asking the state to cut back by 10%. Just a tiny bit of belt tightening, after 10 years of double digit expansion.

It is the extreme arrogance of these people that is truly stunning. How is 10% too much to ask?


6 posted on 03/08/2008 8:46:59 AM PST by Wiseghy ("You want to break this army? Then break your word to it.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: stboz
We’re gonna vote with our feet and leave just as soon as we can

NO, the foreigner is gonna leave along with all the deadbeats who want our money to live near the beach for free.

Arnold Back to Austria

Illegals Back to Mexico

Americans Keep Their Country -- Without Being Taxed to Death

7 posted on 03/08/2008 8:49:00 AM PST by Regulator (Don't Blame Me, I Voted for Tom)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

From what we hear business and people are leaving Calif in droves to flee high taxes.
SO, raise them some more.
FOOLs.
How about getting rid of about a third of the govt. that doesn’t accomplish anything anyway?


8 posted on 03/08/2008 9:00:44 AM PST by Joe Boucher (An enemy of Islam)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
a broad spectrum of interest groups has joined forces in a battle to press Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and lawmakers to raise taxes.

I'm sure "broad spectrum" covers liberal to communist only. The conservatives would be pushing for budget cuts and termination of services for illegals. Nothing like that happening here.

9 posted on 03/08/2008 9:11:02 AM PST by Digital Sniper (Hello, "Undocumented Immigrant." I'm an "Undocumented Border Patrol Agent.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
Groups representing nearly every state general fund service – education, labor, public safety, environment, health care and social services – have formed an alliance

At least half the items on this list represent public (i.e. salaries derived from taxpayers) employees. No conflict of interest here.

10 posted on 03/08/2008 10:03:50 AM PST by Disambiguator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
press elected officials into supporting revenue increases.

It's nice to see that the Bush Tax (Rate, not revenue) Cuts model is being promoted at a state level. Unfortunately, somebody forgot to control spending so the budget still doesn't balance.

11 posted on 03/08/2008 10:07:13 AM PST by Bernard (If you always tell the truth, you never have to remember exactly what you said.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

Oh my, who’s left to tax?


12 posted on 03/08/2008 10:08:07 AM PST by JZelle
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

At the very same time, the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board plans to add 19 new enforcement agents to implement their new sediment action plan. It is not just taxes, California is being regulated to death. That is where we need to back off.


13 posted on 03/08/2008 10:10:56 AM PST by marsh2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
California is in complete control of the unions, special interests and assorted leftists.
14 posted on 03/08/2008 10:43:07 AM PST by paul51 (11 September 2001 - Never forget)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
Every liberal group in California wants its share of the budget pie. Unfortunately to get it, it means higher taxes.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

15 posted on 03/08/2008 10:46:19 AM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

Wow.

Never saw this one coming...

/s

(taking bets, on how long Prop 13 lasts)


16 posted on 03/08/2008 10:47:25 AM PST by Cringing Negativism Network
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Regulator
NO, the foreigner is gonna leave along with all the deadbeats who want our money to live near the beach for free. Arnold Back to Austria

No, the problem is far greater than Arnold.

It's the unmitigated arrogance of the Peratas, Nunezes and the Florezes and so many more from L.A. and the Bay Area and Sacramento. "We don't have a spending problem, we have a revenue problem."

It's the blatant, stupidity of the people who elect these thieves. It's the braindead, "What's in it for me?" populace who can't think beyond Americam Idol and Wallyworld.

It's illegals who don't speak Spanish worth a sh*t, but do speak Arabic and Farsi. It's sh*t-stirring fools who value a 2 inch fish more than agriculture that pays taxes and feeds them and feeds the world.

Screw Kaleephornya.

17 posted on 03/08/2008 8:02:37 PM PST by stboz
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson