CALIFORNIA: Will 2012 be a pileup for reform initiatives?

Sacramento Bee ^ | 11/27/11 | Editor

[SmithL]

Some are deriding Nicolas Berggruen and other wealthy reform advocates for jumping into the initiative fray with plans for fixing California's tax system, schools and other services.

This editorial board has long been leery of initiatives, and we certainly understand why many are angry about wealth disparities that have grown wider since the recession. Yet Californians shouldn't reflexively reject a reform measure because its backers are wealthy. Instead, we should welcome the energy behind any and all efforts to fix California's governance and finances, and recognize that any change in the status quo will require not only strong grass-roots support, but substantial financial backing.

All that said, there is a real chance that the November 2012 ballot will be a demolition derby of well-intended, duplicative and incompatible tax initiatives. Out of pure confusion and distrust, voters could end up rejecting them all, squandering an opportunity for California leaders and citizens to get behind a plan that will help right our ship of state.

Here are some of the measures likely to be on the ballot:

• Berggruen and his Think Long committee have a 23-page proposal that, among other things, would flatten the personal income tax and extend sales taxes to services, raising about $10 billion a year. The proposal likely would reduce the wild swings in state revenue, but some critics say it would unduly shift tax burdens to the middle class.

[goldstategop]

Reform? Don't make me laugh. Its about increasing taxes. They must think people are stupid! And that includes the SacBee.

[goldstategop]

Reform? Don't make me laugh. Its about increasing taxes. They must think people are stupid! And that includes the SacBee.

[occamrzr06]

we certainly understand why many are angry about wealth disparities that have grown wider since the recession

I don't care about wealth disparity. I just want the government to leave my money alone.

[goldstategop]

I’d like to see an initiative to tax the OWSers.

I’m all for redistributing their wealth!

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks SmithL.

Gray Davis, Ahnold, Eric Schmidt, other limo libs are part of “Think Long”.

Think long and hard before voting yes on this.

And then vote no.

[depressed in 06]

The only reform that will work in California is banning the Bolshecratic Party.

[Seaplaner]

Californians seem willing to support tax measures, but only when confident that the extra funds will be used for top priorities, such as schools or local services.

An acquaintance tells me that feather-bedding and financial abuses go on routinely within the California public school system.

If true, and have no proof but I suspect that it just might be valid, one wonders if there could come a point at which people start blabbing online and to the authorities (states' evidence perhaps?), and the money saved might be surprisingly high.

Thus, what California needs more than money to schools is a thorough, comprehensive, and scrupulously independent audit of schools and schools administration.

.

[SmithL]

Most Californians, including some who call themselves Republicans, are willing to support tax increases, as long as someone other than themselves is being taxed.