CA: Governor: No-tax vow still valid

Sac Bee ^ | 1/19/07 | Kevin Yamamura

[NormsRevenge]

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger defended his health care plan Thursday against criticism that he broke his fundamental campaign pledge of no new taxes by asking businesses and physicians to give a share of their revenues to the state.

In a 30-minute interview with The Bee, the Republican governor insisted his proposed charge on certain groups is not a tax because the money collected is dedicated to health care rather than other state expenditures. He also said he does not see it as a tax because it is intended to lower costs throughout the system, benefiting those who have to pay upfront.

"It is not a tax, just a loan, because it does not go for general (expenditures)," Schwarzenegger said. "It goes back to health care. I think it's the important fact here, that you take it for health care."

Schwarzenegger's plan would raise $12 billion, including $5.5 billion in federal funds, to extend health coverage to 6.5 million uninsured Californians.

Employers with at least 10 workers and who do not provide health care would have to pay 4 percent of payroll to the state, while physicians and hospitals would have to pay a smaller percentage of revenues.

If the governor's proposal includes a tax, it would require two-thirds of votes in the Legislature for passage, and some Republicans would have to vote for the plan. ...

Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez, D-Los Angeles, has said the plan requires only a majority vote in the Legislature. But Assembly Republican leader Mike Villines of Clovis has demanded a two-thirds vote.

Schwarzenegger said Thursday it does not matter to him whether his health care plan requires two-thirds or majority approval. While he said he wants both parties involved in discussions, he's concerned only with "whatever it takes to get done."

[NormsRevenge]

... he does not see it as a tax because it is intended to lower costs throughout the system, benefiting those who have to pay upfront.

"whatever it takes to get done."

---

He's just full of 'noble' visions amongst other things, so was another certain person who arose out of Austria.

[Patrick1]

Free healthcare for Mexico but no tax increase...sounds like Arnold is back on the roids.

[EagleUSA]

The living lie continues. With the help of California voters, we have now planned to DOUBLE our record state deficit to around 70 BILLION or so...so who is going to pay that debt ??? I think the $4 bridge tolls (taxes) are a start. I am afraid Arnie has been sleeping with liberals too long --- he has got it all over him.

[HawaiianGecko]

_hg

Since I can't understand Arnold half the time, I resort to reading his lips.  What's he saying?

 

[EagleUSA]

Since I can't understand Arnold half the time, I resort to reading his lips. What's he saying?
------
"Read my lips --- NO NEW TAXES!"

Deja Vu, eh ??

[BigFinn]

If it looks like a tax, taste like a tax and smells like a tax... guess what? Talk and spin as fast as you can, Arnie, but you ain'ta foolin' anybody. Just officially move to the dark side and be done with it.

[buffyt]

You said "He's just full of 'noble' visions amongst other things, so was another certain person who arose out of Austria."

You are right, he is FULL OF IT!

[Ben Mugged]

It depends on your definition of tax.

[KarlInOhio]

You need a super majority in California's legislature to pass a tax increase, therefore this involuntary payment to the government is not a tax increase. QED.

Remember, little things like the law shouldn't stand in the way of huge increases in government power.

[kellynla]

He's just full of 'noble' visions

That is what would be said in polite company.
Although I would say he is full of shiite! LOL

"RU Ready 4A Recall"

[Digger]

Just ReCall him.

[sheana]

I say we keep recalling governors until we finally get one that actually cares about and listens to California citizen/taxpayers.
And if they don't care, at least they would be too afraid to go against us.
Matter of fact I think that is a good idea for ALL politicians.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

I am thinking that the DNC and RNC want to chase Businessmen out of the states and their place taken over by thugs not obeying the law and global companies!

****

"Businessmen are the one group that distinguishes capitalism and the American way of life from the totalitarian statism that is swallowing the rest of the world. All the other social groups- workers, farmers, professional men, scientists, soldiers- exist under dictatorships, even though they exist in chains, in terror, in misery, and in progressive self-destruction. But there is no such group as businessmen under a dictatorship. Their place is taken by armed thugs: by bureaucrats and commissars. Businessmen are the symbol of a free society- the symbol of America."
Source: Capitalism – The Unknown Ideal Chapter 3
"Every government interference in the economy consists of giving an unearned benefit, extorted by force, to some men at the expense of others."
Source: Capitalism – The Unknown Ideal Chapter 20

AYN RAND

[joebuck]

"It is not a tax, just a loan, because it does not go for general (expenditures)," Schwarzenegger said. "It goes back to health care. I think it's the important fact here, that you take it for health care."

If anyone can pull a coherent thought out of that please let me know.

[NormsRevenge]

Rush just commented on that as well. He is scratching his head and asking what happened to the Gub. Is it Maria, drugs or.. maybe the Trojan Horse has a splinter that broke loose and went to his brain.

[paul51]

The new GOP makes the tax and spend bureaucracy building democrats of yesterday look like amateurs

[sheana]

My philosphy on the last election is that people didn't actually vote for Democrats, they voted for gridlock. They just failed to realize that the differences between the parties is becoming smaller and smaller. They are both runaway trains.

[Uncle Hal]

If you believe a fee is not a tax, I have ocean front property to sell you in Vegas.

[goldstategop]

Its a loan. You can decline to take out a loan or to borrow but you can't avoid taxes. The Governator does not appear to have a sound grasp of fiscal reality. If the money is taken from you at gunpoint, by the government - its a tax. And no amount of semantics will change the fact Red Arnold broke his no new tax pledge to California voters.

"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

[SierraWasp]

Escuse me while I sneeze... HORSEBLEEP!!!