Posted on 12/30/2007 9:05:35 AM PST by NormsRevenge
State Republican lawmakers have a long history of resisting taxes, and this year is no different.
Even before Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger calls a planned special session to deal with the state's "fiscal emergency," GOP legislators say they have ruled out revenue increases as a potential remedy. They're not joking: All but one GOP member in the Capitol has signed a no-tax pledge.
It's said "an elephant never forgets," and the Republicans whose party is symbolized by that pachyderm remember tax increases as hurting the economy – and their own political fortunes.
"It's such a strong plank of the Republican platform that anybody who deviates or is perceived to deviate from that will have a hard time running for higher office or perhaps re-election," said Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.
--snip--
Even if Schwarzenegger were open to tax increases to help close the projected $14 billion budget deficit, however, his fellow Republicans in the Legislature aren't likely to go along. They've denounced suggestions by Democrats who have said it's time to consider additional levies.
And though Republicans are the minority party in both legislative chambers, their votes are needed to pass a spending plan under the state's two-thirds budget vote requirement.
Their caucuses have battled time and again over the years with Democrats and governors who sought to add increased revenue to the budget-balancing mix.
In 1991, then-Gov. Pete Wilson threatened to "break arms" in forcing a handful of Republicans to vote for a package that contained a combination of tax increases and spending cuts.
Wilson later said the package, which included a 1.25 percent sales tax increase, was a mistake. Coupal said it hurt, rather than spurred, a California economy that was in recession in the early '90s.
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
“Tried to make me pay more taxes — I said no no no.”
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Someone needs to check Arnaldo's shorts for a dead rat as something is stinking up in Sacramento and I can guarantee that the Democrats with our RINO governor are looking at more taxes to squander on pie in the sky worthless social projects.
The CAGOP should consider a different approach on taxes. The CAGOP should establish itself not as the party that simply says no to higher taxes, but the party that wants lower taxes.
Rather than voting no on all tax increases the Democrats propose, the Republican legislators should not vote on the tax increases at all. Let the Democrats in the state legislature have 100% vote on tax increases without participating. Only participate on revenue bills proposing tax cuts, and never a tax cut tied to an tax increase. Californians are only going to learn the harsh reality of higher taxes causing business closings and a diminished way of life the hard way. And make it widely known all the tax increases were at the hands of the Democrats.
The Democrats would vote in a myriad of sweeping tax increases. The increases will all ultimately fall on the shoulders of all Californians, but the backlash would fall only upon the Democrats.
Let’s not forget that many of the tax hikes in the 90s were passed with the support of uber-RINO Pete Wilson.
Thanks for posting these articles/stories on California government.
a hobby for some
a passion for a few
No gubamint is ever perfect
But today’s is a real doozie
You’re most welcome, btw!
It should be a two-part message:
Cut taxes!
Cut wastefull spending:
“Earmarks”
“Consulting” contracts
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