Another state tax commission has been launched. Will it burn up on re-entry like so many commissions before it? I know something about tax and fiscal commissions. I have served on three and I was an informal consultant to another. All of them turned out to be merely academic exercises.
Reports were delivered and ended up on the shelf or as doorstops. The legislature often didn’t hold hearings, or perhaps, had a courtesy hearing before filing the report away. The commission I worked with as informal consultant was appointed by Governor Davis and delivered its findings on the day Governor Schwarzenegger was sworn in after the Recall. Timing is everything. The others suffered only slightly better fates, but in the end all recommendations were ignored.
President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg promised at the press conference announcing the names of the 12 commissioners that there would be “no dusty shelf reports.” I hope he’s right. The California tax system can use some updating. If the commissioners are true to their mandate to smooth out the boom and bust cycles generated by the current state tax structure without looking for ways to raise taxes, they can perform a great service to the taxpayers.
Of course, I wish the commission would also look at the spending situation in the state. I wrote about that previously so I won’t go into it again. But, spending is also a problem that must be addressed. And, as I stated before, whoever decided this commission’s report should be issued on Tax Day, April 15, has a macabre sense of humor—and also doesn’t give the commission much time to complete its task.
The commission is not going to solve the current budget crisis but perhaps it could solve a few lined up down the road if it produces a solid reform plan.
With no slight meant to Speaker Bass’ or President Pro Tem Steinberg’s commission appointees whom I do not know, I think the governor’s selections are good ones. I know or have worked with practically all of them and expect they will bring a sharp eye and a concern for the taxpayers to the proceedings. See a list and biographies of all the appointees here.
As a veteran of these things, I wish the commissioners smooth flight but warn them that there are many asteroids out there that can cripple a ship of good intentions.