Posted on 11/05/2010 8:28:00 AM PDT by SmithL
Has the popping of Champagne corks been premature?
We're referring to the defeat of Proposition 23, which has been hailed as the game-winning home run for California's climate change law.
But celebrations have turned to fears about the impact of what some have called its "evil twin" - Prop. 26, which passed Tuesday. That's the initiative relabeling environmental mitigation and other fees as taxes, requiring the virtually impossible to get two-thirds vote, thus starving state and local treasuries even further.
"In effect they will stop (AB32, the climate change law) with this," said Scott Hauge, president of Small Business California, who supports the law, "along with many of us in the business community." Hauge was referring to San Ramon's Chevron Corp. (which was "neutral" on Prop. 23) and the California Chamber of Commerce, both of which poured millions of dollars into Prop. 26.
According to a UCLA School of Law study last week, the initiative "could have substantial and wide-ranging impacts on implementation of the state's health, safety and environmental laws," including AB32. Noting that the state imposes regulatory fees for such programs, the study said Prop. 26 will "make it harder to fund these programs in the future."
Responding to reporters' questions on the matter, Mary Nichols, chairwoman of the state Air Resources Board, said, "We have an administrative fee in place now under AB32. As far as any future fees and how they would fit into a regulatory program, that's something we would have to take a look at on a case-by-case basis. Undoubtedly there will be issues raised as a result of (Prop. 26) passing."
But, said Nichols, whose agency is in charge of implementing the law beginning next year, "We do not believe our efforts will be derailed as a result of Proposition 26...
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
“No new fees or taxes? The simple answer would be to start issuing heavy fines to CA businesses to make up for any shortfall.”
The rats will hope there are businesses left to fine. Perhaps the rates will introduce an exit fine.Our federal tax code is littered with exit taxes.
“No new fees or taxes? The simple answer would be to start issuing heavy fines to CA businesses to make up for any shortfall.”
The rats will hope there are businesses left to fine. Perhaps the rates will introduce an exit fine.Our federal tax code is littered with exit taxes.
PREDICTION: The Dems controlling the CA Gov’t will get Liberal judges to pick and choose which are “constitutional” and which are not.
You are kidding right?
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