[KarlInOhio]

If the charitable contribution is mandatory, it is not a charitable contribution. If it is not mandatory, very few people (even in CA) will do it.

And if you get something of value from your "charitable" contribution, like football tickets for a contribution to a college then it doesn't count as a charitable contribution. So if you get a state tax credit for the entire amount of the contribution it isn't a charity so no deduction for you.

Maybe California could just build a wall to keep rich people in.

[castlebrew]

Beat me to it.

Great minds thinking alike... ;)