"The state's (California) suddenly slapping people upside the head," ...

[markw]

...said Mack Reed, 50, of Silver Lake. "It's appalling how brash that is."

Technically, it's not a tax increase, even though it may feel like one when your next paycheck arrives. As part of a bundle of budget patches adopted in the summer, the state is taking more money now in withholding, even though workers' annual tax bills won't change.

Now, how long will it be before they pick up on this trick here in Jersey...

 

[highfigh]

...said Mack Reed, 50, of Silver Lake. "It's appalling how brash that is."

Technically, it's not a tax increase, even though it may feel like one when your next paycheck arrives. As part of a bundle of budget patches adopted in the summer, the state is taking more money now in withholding, even though workers' annual tax bills won't change.

Now, how long will it be before they pick up on this trick here in Jersey...

Here, they say they haven't increased taxes but they just add or increase fees.

Just another case of them pissing in our backs and telling us it's raining.

 

[JerryLove]

In California's case, there may be a reason for the semantics. California has a constitution that allows people to vote in referrendums that require new spending, but in which it's almost impossible to raise taxes.

Given this insane system, what are California's choices?

 

[Rickster71]

A quick aside: Europe has more than 200 years of experience with the initiative and referendum process.



California seemed to do ok in their last election -

The following propositions were decided by voters in elections held earlier this year.

California (May 19)

All six measures were placed on the ballot by the legislature as part of a budget agreement. 1A,

1B, and 1F were constitutional amendments, 1D and 1E were statutes, and 1C was an amendment

and statute.

• Prop 1A. Rainy day fund. Complicated and difficult-to-interpret proposition that, among other

things, increased the state’s rainy day fund and imposed modest limits on spending. If the

measure had been approved, certain emergency taxes would have been extended for several

years. FAILED 35-65

• Prop 1B. Education. Required supplemental spending on education after the budget crisis

passed. FAILED 38-62

• Prop 1C. Lottery revenue. Allowed state to borrow against future lottery revenue. FAILED 36-

64

• Prop 1D. Tobacco tax revenue. Allowed state to divert tobacco tax revenue dedicated to

early childhood development programs. FAILED 34-66

• Prop 1E. Mental health revenue. Allowed state to divert revenue dedicated to mental health

services. FAILED 34-66

• Prop 1F. Gaming compact. Prohibited increase in legislature salaries if state has a deficit.

APPROVED 72-26

 

[rnatalli]

California should concentrate on getting their fair share from the Feds instead of having their money go to states like NM and OK. California takes in enough money to cover its expenses, but since it gets back less than $1 on every dollar it gives to the Federal Government, they end up "cash-strapped".

 

[just-some-guy]

the problem with all government, is that its easy to spend other peoples money.
that is all there is to it. around here, its common to hire their friends/family for 2-3x what the job is worth, IF they even do any work at all ! AND THEN give them benefits that are way above the private sector. many retirees get $100,000+ a year pension. and DON'T tell me they "earned" it.

people are loosing everything they have. all because they ran their lives/finances just like the government = have $1, spend $2.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Tomorrow?