CA: Car taxes set to jump, GOP promises court challenge

Sac Bee ^ | 6/19/03 | Tom Chorneau - AP

[NormsRevenge]

Although it's a key component of the latest budget proposal from the Senate Republican leader, a $4 billion hike in taxes paid by car owners has been targeted by the GOP for a court challenge, officials said Thursday.

The tripling of the vehicle license fee, which would cost the average car owner about $130 annually, is expected to be triggered in the coming days by Gov. Gray Davis. Along with most Democrats and at least some Republicans, Davis says state law allows him to return the tax to 1998 levels if cash reserves fall to dangerously low levels.

[NormsRevenge]

California Assemblyman John Campbell, R-Irvine, vice chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, speaks during a Thursday news conference in Sacramento.

Associated Press/ Rich Pedroncelli

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Steve Peace, Davis's director of finance .. noted that proceeds from an $11 billion bond sale have been deposited into state accounts, which means the state _ for the first time _ is operating completely on borrowed money.

[NormsRevenge]

Living on Borrowed Money Ping :-o

No wonder the demRats are all begging off on running for Gub Davi$'s seat.

[CGTRWK]

which means the state _ for the first time _ is operating completely on borrowed money.

As opposed to the stolen money that ordinarily runs things.

[Susannah]

California Democrats ran out of ways to "tax the rich".

Will the drivers who can no longer afford to drive, please park their cars on Rodeo Drive(that's Rowdayoh for nonCA people)

[heleny]

Besides the court challenges, Tom McClintock will file papers for 2 initiatives once the fee/tax triples-- one to reduce the VLF to $1, and one to abolish the tax altogether. The Secretary of State gets to look at the papers for 25 days before we can start collecting signatures.

Tom will decide which initiative has a better chance, since they require different numbers of signatures to qualify. So, as soon as 25 days from possibly today, the grassroots can start collecting signatures on the chosen petition. It's perfect timing, since Recall Gray Davis petition gathering will have finished.

Visit Tom McClintock's site for details and to sign up to circulate petitions.

[CounterCounterCulture]

We...are...soooooo...screwed.

[NormsRevenge]

June 20th Bump

[Uncle Hal]

There was an article to day in one of the liberal rags indicating that an attorney for the state legislature beleives that the state cannot impose the car tax with out approval of 2/3 of the legislature. He indicated the wording on the bill that appoved the original reduction of the car tax is very vague about when the car tax can be raised.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Thanks for the ping!

calgov2002:

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