California Recall
I don't care too much about the California recall at this point, but it seems to me that if Bustamante is being raked over the coals by the SF Gate, he doesn't stand a chance with mainstream democrats in Cali (despite his current 30% poll numbers).
Bustamante's budget plan seems oblivious to the trouble California businesses are in. We do not need higher taxes. California already has the second-highest maximum income tax rate in the nation and the eighth-highest maximum sales-tax rate. The top 10 percent of California earners pay 80 percent of the state's income tax. And Bustamante wants to increase that burden.
One of the worst ideas Bustamante proposed is taking his $8 billion tax increase directly to the voters if he can't get the state Legislature to pass it. While it is very unlikely voters would approve such a hefty tax increase, they shouldn't be asked to sift through budget decisions. That's what we elect the Legislature and the governor to do. Frankly, if Bustamante did put his plan on the ballot, it should be accompanied by an initiative to reduce the Legislature to a part-time body.
Bustamante's budget plan seems oblivious to the trouble California businesses are in. We do not need higher taxes. California already has the second-highest maximum income tax rate in the nation and the eighth-highest maximum sales-tax rate. The top 10 percent of California earners pay 80 percent of the state's income tax. And Bustamante wants to increase that burden.
One of the worst ideas Bustamante proposed is taking his $8 billion tax increase directly to the voters if he can't get the state Legislature to pass it. While it is very unlikely voters would approve such a hefty tax increase, they shouldn't be asked to sift through budget decisions. That's what we elect the Legislature and the governor to do. Frankly, if Bustamante did put his plan on the ballot, it should be accompanied by an initiative to reduce the Legislature to a part-time body.
# | August 25, 2003