Here’s the thing: The Republicans understand that there have to be some additional revenues. They know that even they couldn’t come up with the full $25 Billion in cuts in any way that could possibly help them politically. But, on the other side, they are terrified of their own base.
This is where it gets interesting. Sen. Bob Dutton, the Republican Leader in the Senate asked the Legislative Counsel if there is any way for the Democrats to put something on the ballot on their own, sans the 2/3 majority. Now, Dutton would probably tell you out in public that this is just to stop the tax hikes or something like that. But, you have to think that Dutton was secretly hoping that the Democrats could do the dirty work while the Republicans could maintain their ideological purity by never voting for anything that possibly resembles an increase in taxes.
Speaker Perez, for his part, doesn’t seem to be taking the bait, and has cast that aside right from the get-go:
Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez said Wednesday that he has no intention of sidestepping Republicans by trying to place a tax-extension measure on the June ballot by a simple majority vote of the Legislature.
Pérez downplayed a legislative counsel’s opinion, sought by Senate Republican leader Bob Dutton, that indicated such a measure could be placed before voters without the support of GOP lawmakers, under narrow circumstances.
“No,” Pérez said flatly when asked if he is entertaining such a plan for the tax measure proposed by Gov. Jerry Brown to raise $11 billion for the fiscal year that ends June 30, 2012.
“There is not a single legal analysis that I think holds any water that says we could legitimately put this question before voters on a simple majority vote,” Pérez told the Sacramento Press Club. (SacBee)
I’ll admit, I’m a bit split on this move. From a practical standpoint, I’m a bit skeptical that the Democrats will, in fact, be able to lure enough GOP votes. Keeping open the majority vote measure as a way to whip some GOP votes into making some sort of deal seems to make some sense.
But, guessing at the Speaker’s logic here, in order to pass this thing at the ballot, you are probably going to need at least nominal GOP support. If you have them running around saying how awful this package is, it could create a pretty dicey situation for the actual election.
At any rate, despite the Speaker’s protests, I would still not count out the concept of a majority vote measure quite yet.
Like a Trap to Me and I’m glad Speaker Perez didn’t fall for this thing, As It sounds too good to be true, Cause It smelled like a Trap, Therefore It was a trap.
You think that Californians don’t pay enough taxes? How much is enough then?
There should not be new taxes on the ballot, there needs to be more cuts including to the already too high tax rates paid but the working people.
CA has a predicted deficit of more than $27MMM over the next 18 months.
The citizens of CA have voted down numerous attempts at tax increases over the last 2 elections, starting with the defeat of prop 1A in 2008, which will shorten the term of the taxes imposed in 2009 to deal with the budget deficit. Californians also voted down the $18 per year state tax on vehicles that would have given free access to state parks.
Gov Brown has said he will not raise any taxes unless the people vote for them.
California’s 2011 Business Tax Climate Ranks 49th.
California’s State/Local Tax Burden Above National Average
Estimated at 10.5% of income, California’s state/local tax burden percentage stands at 6th highest nationally, above the national average of 9.7%. Californians pay $5,028 per capita in state and local taxes.
California’s Corporate Income Tax Rate is the Highest in the West
California’s Top Individual Income Tax Rate Is 4th Highest in the Nation.
California’s tax rate of 9.55% on individuals making more than 47K per year is the highest in the nation.
California’s unemployment rate is over 12.4%
Average ($2839) amount paid for property taxes ranks 8th highest, behind only MA, NH, NJ, NY, RI, WI and VT.
California and Illinois have the lowest state credit rating at A1, fifth-highest, from Moody’s Investors Service.
So a ‘junk’ status credit rating + high taxes + high unemployment + high deficits = The Republicans should put more taxes to the people?
Based on the tax rates, the Republicans have already compromised on taxes.
What is your solution to the budget problem? Raise taxes? Seriously, how much is enough?
Dear Diego,
California real estate is relatively expensive, even after the crash. Plus we’re a big state with a lot of housing. So it makes sense that we collect a fair amount in property tax revenues compared to other states. That doesn’t mean we have a higher rate. We don’t. Somebody I know in Illinois pays twice what I do, even though her house is worth half what mine is.
I’ve also read elsewhere that California is 37th in tax rates. We receive the most venture capital funding in the country. That paints a very different picture than you do of how business-friendly the state is.
So, while some of the figures you quote may be accurate, others are misleading at the very least. I’d be interested to know where you got them, or if you have any proof that they’re true.
Why are Demcorats being so cowardly ??
Just pass the bill to get a public vote
You don’t need Republicans
This is almost reminiscent of President Obama’s first year
Bi-Partisanship is a mirage
Worse, it’s a trap