Controller’s Report Shows Business Taking a Hit
Some interesting information appears in the Controller’s Report on revenue issued this week. Those who think taxing business is the way to solve California’s budget problem should especially take notice.
The Controller reported that while income tax came in a surprising 12.1% above May Revise projections (a plus $283 million), the increase in dollars was greatly offset by a 3.5% drop off in projections in sales tax ($124 million off)and a whopping 36.1% below projections for the corporate tax ($90 million lower than expected).
Compared to May a year ago, corporate taxes are down 49%.
Yet, with business clearly suffering some think the answer for California’s budget woes is to tax business more. Adding a tax on business will just slow business even more, which means revenue for government will likely decrease not increase.
A Dangerous and Precedent-Setting Intrusion
An Assembly bill claiming to bring diversity and transparency into charitable giving in California is actually an unprecedented intrusion by government to muscle its way into charitable organizations. Here’s a fuller perspective on the bill which David Lehrer and I wrote for the Jewish Journal:
The next few weeks will be the moment of truth for Assembly Bill 624, the so-called, “Foundation Diversity and Transparency Act” as it comes before the State Senate Business, Professions & Economic Development Committee.
The bill is a nearly unprecedented intrusion by government into the world of charitable giving. While purporting to promote “transparency”, in fact it is the first step in setting government mandated priorities for where charitable dollars should go.
19th Amendment still on the books
Like a college freshman needing to learn some smooth lines to connect with co-eds, the GOP needs to better learn how to connect with women voters.
The latest example of the GOP missing the boat on attracting women voters is from a Santa Ana city councilman’s comment after the Orange County Board of Supervisors yesterday selected Sandra Hutchens as the new sheriff:
As reported in the Los Angeles Times’ lead paragraph on the story, "I kept telling the chief," he said, referring to Santa Ana Police Chief Paul Walters, who narrowly lost the sheriff’s job, " ‘Maybe we should get you some implants. Or a water bra.’ "