More than one-hundred representatives from different segments of the business community convened at the California Chamber of Commerce yesterday to discuss forming opposition to proposed business taxes and fees. Public employee unions and advocacy groups have started a campaign to push for higher taxes. SEIU sponsored a television ad calling for higher taxes. Members of the business community at the meeting vowed to respond with a vigorous effort of their own opposing tax and fee increases.
Wary of a strategy that would try to divide the business community by focusing taxes or fees on one or two particular industries, California Chamber president, Allan Zaremberg, argued that the coalition must stick together and oppose all the various tax and fee proposals. Like water rushing through an opened dam, a multitude of revenue proposals have flowed forth from legislators, public unions and advocates since the May 19 special election.
The group’s opposition effort is not only prepared to take on tax and fee increases, but also will be ready to oppose efforts to lower the two-thirds vote on taxes, and oppose a split roll property tax raising taxes on business property.