Your turn to sound off on taxes




The battle between Democratic and Republican lawmakers in Sacramento over the proposed tax extension is born of a long and downright ugly past. Most agree it began when the state couldn’t resist spending the millions of dollars that poured into California’s coffers thanks to the dot-com bonanza of the late ’90s. The state unwisely spent beyond its means and never changed course.

Fast forward through the most financially disastrous decade since the Great Depression, and California lawmakers are left to govern a dead-broke state that needs another $25 billion in cuts to balance the budget.

Both sides of the aisle want something. The Dems want the GOP to agree to let voters decide whether to extend higher taxes and other fees for five years. The GOP wants the Dems to get serious about real budget cuts and to streamline the state’s oppressive business regulations.

Caught in the middle of the political wrangling are those who will bear the brunt of the $25 billion in budget cuts: the recipients of the state’s health, education and welfare services.

State and local school officials are lobbying Sacramento to put the tax extension on the ballot.

State Sen. Tony Strickland (R-Simi Valley) says he opposes the tax initiative and cites a poll that shows most Californians agree with him. Assemblyman Jeff Gorell (R-Westlake Village) is against it, too. Sen. Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills) supports the tax extension.

It’s unknown if the Legislature can make enough progress in the coming weeks to move forward with the initiative. If the plan doesn’t get the support it needs, chances are it will be dead at least until the fall.

We want to know whether you, our readers, support the tax initiative. Please go online to www.theacorn.com and cast your vote in our readers’ poll: “Do you favor a ballot initiative calling for a vote on the state tax extension?” Remember, the question for now is simply whether to put the issue on the ballot.

Let’s hear it, Acorn readers. On which side of the aisle do you stand?



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