Sorry for the down time today. We had some problems with our server that have since been resolved. Thanks for bearing with us. Now, to the links.

• The state tax brackets are shifting down this year. Every year, the brackets are adjusted for inflation. However, this year we had deflation, so they will be shifted down about 1.3%. The media is going around calling this a tax increase. It’s no more a tax increase than the inflationary shifts are tax cuts. This is a measure of the real value of a dollar. Taxes are staying the same, but far be it from me to prevent the media from whipping up a frenzy amongst the right-wingers. Don’t worry, the story is already ablaze amongst the Freepers.

• Maybe they can take a look at the fact that furloughing state workers at the tax and equalization boards is leading to up to $1 billion dollars in lost revenue because the agencies cannot keep up with the workload.  But the idea that government has to actually employ people to run properly does not compute, I guess.

• California’s High Broderist George Skelton lays it on thick for California Backward. What’s not to love? A plan that will shift blame to the Democrats without the accompanying power? Sounds great to me.  Toss in the overturning of the Sinclair Paints decision to make it more difficult to raise revenue through fees? Yeah, that sounds like just what we need right now.

• Tony Strickland acknowledges that he’s rather corrupt-like. He’s supporting a policy of banning candidate’s family members from taking a slice of political contributions for acting as fundraisers. Shockingly, Strickland and his wife Audra did this. But, It’s OK If You Are a Republican.

• Michael Hiltzik on Carly Fiorina: She’s not very good at politics, so she’ll run on business. She’s not very good at that, but, boy, is she “fabulous.”

• John Garamendi has a podcast out on research (MP3).