I have seen enough. We beat back the Contra Costa Community College District's $920 million bond measure. With only 2100 votes left to count, it has no path to the 55% threshold for passage.
I like the people at 4CD but they wanted too much.
“A budget is the purest form of policy priorities, and infrastructure is taking a backseat,” said former City Councilmember Mark Kersey. He now works as the president and CEO of the #SanDiego County Taxpayers Association, which has been sharply critical of the city’s financial
JUST IN: The proposition that would permanently extend the temporary millionaire tax increases passed by California voters with 2012's Prop 30 and extended by 12 years with 2016's Prop 55, is eligible for the ballot (this is separate from the billionaire wealth tax)
Just so we’re clear: according to the latest vote counts, the No on Measure A campaign in the City of San Diego has officially secured victory!
We have successfully stopped the piecemeal tax on “non-primary homes.” We have protected homeownership and sent the City back to the
Opinion: Marc Joffe: Legislature’s stealthy new Medi-Cal tax probably won’t satisfy SEIU
Marc Joffe: Legislature’s stealthy new Medi-Cal tax probably won’t satisfy SEIU
Now that is one suboptimal budget process.
www.ocregister.com
LA voters reliably choose to raise their own taxes, without demanding actual results.
2017: 0.25% sales tax hike for homeless services
2022: 4%/5.5% tax on big property transactions
2024: 0.25% (effectively) sales tax hike for homeless
2026: 0.5% sales tax hike for health care
My column in SDUT about a couple of taxpayer victories. Don't give up on California just yet. "Opinion: Two welcome displays of tax sanity in San Diego." @hjta.
Opinion: Two welcome displays of tax sanity in San Diego
These taxpayer victories should give other Californians real hope.
www.sandiegouniontribune.com
If nothing else, Tom Steyer has proved that $200 million is not enough to defeat Proposition 13.
Have a nice evening.
CoCoTax welcomes apparent defeat of Measure B sales tax, Measure G bond issue
CoCoTax welcomes apparent defeat of Measure B sales tax, Measure G bond issue | Contra Costa Herald
contracostaherald.com
Bipartisan group of lawmakers urges Legislature to reject governor's proposed tax increase on California research: "The answer to the state’s long-term budget challenges is not to weaken the sectors driving California’s economy and generating state revenues."
Late-arriving ballots continue their enthusiastic embrace of higher sales taxes in Los Angeles County. "Yes" on Measure ER has overtaken "No" in the June 8 update of the vote. Post-Election Day, it has moved in one direction only.
Just read on Politico Pro where the California Teachers Association has come out against the proposed billionaire "tax" (pronounced "taking") heading to the November ballot. No doubt they are worried it will negatively impact the campaign they have launched to make the
ICYMI: Huge wealth tax development as @WeAreCTA opposes.
CTA is one of California's biggest and most influential unions. Previously, their wealth tax frustrations -- inc. fear it would drag down separate income tax extension -- were private.
https://www.politico.com/tipsheets/california-playbook
No longer:
Opinion: Dwight Williams: California’s proposed ‘Jobs Tax’ will hit seniors the hardest
Dwight Williams: California’s proposed ‘Jobs Tax’ will hit seniors the hardest
I encourage the Legislature to do the right thing and reject this proposal.
www.ocregister.com
If this manages to pass, the sales tax in Los Angeles County (and City) would be 10.25%. Some cities like Palmdale would have 11.75% sales taxes. Santa Monica would be 11.25%.
Meanwhile neighboring Orange County would remain 7.75%.
Ventura County is 7.25%. Los Angeles County
LA Measure ER has crept up to 49.2% as the count grinds on, now within reach of passing.
Many election workers belong to SEIU 721 which has put $500K into the Yes on ER campaign and will benefit if the sales tax passes.
Proposition 13 was approved by California voters 48 years ago today, June 6, 1978. A new taxpayer protection initiative to reinforce it will be on the November ballot. It will make it harder to raise taxes, again, as Prop. 13 required.
https://open.substack.com/pub/howardjarvis/p/dont-let-this-be-proposition-13s?r=53ei31&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
With 68.88% of registered voters casting ballots, it remains the highest turnout for a non-presidential primary in 100+ years.
On this date in 1978, Californians reformed the property tax system by passing Proposition 13 by a 2-to-1 margin. By limiting the tax rate AND annual assessment increases, Prop 13 solved problems the Legislature failed to adequately address for decades.
https://www.caltax.org/foundation/reports/20180606-Evolution-and-Impact-of-Prop-13.pdf
Too little too late: State legislature plan to tax Amazon and Walmart for more Medi-Cal $ probably won't be enough to get SEIU to withdraw its wealth tax ballot measure.
New from me in the @ocregister
Marc Joffe: Legislature’s stealthy new Medi-Cal tax probably won’t satisfy SEIU
Now that is one suboptimal budget process.
www.ocregister.com
@Ryanexpress77 @HJTA In this afternoon's update in L.A. County, "Yes" on Measure ER had climbed up to 48.5%. (Needs 50% plus 1 vote to pass).
The sales tax increase in Contra Costa County, Measure B, was going down to defeat, with 57.4% voting NO so far.
*New Video Podcast*
Straight Talk With @Susan_Shelley Shelley, VP of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association (@HJTA)!
In this interview, Jon and Susan talk about the preliminary election returns, with the caveat that many ballots remain outstanding… With a particular eye on
In California, state law essentially guarantees that results in close races can’t be known for weeks. It doesn’t have to be this way. Imagine this alternative....
Susan Shelley: Why California takes forever to count votes
California changed everything.
www.dailynews.com
Sen. Tony Strickland had repeatedly asked if a California company has been found to price gouge.
Department of Petroleum Market Oversight leader Tai Milder says they have not.
At least 1.66 million ballots remaining just from 4 of California's larger counties
713,180 - L.A. County
375,000 - San Diego County
303,200 - Riverside County
270,950 - Orange County
ICYMI: First official California union opposition to wealth tax from @CA_Bldg_Trades
Lots of dissent within labor over SEIU-UHW's proposal. But Trades are first to formally oppose it, warning it'll drive away wealthy builders who generate jobs
https://www.politico.com/tipsheets/california-playbook
Instead of a choice between less taxes/worse city services and more taxes/better services, how about “before raising taxes or fees (again) #SanDiego reduces the number of bureaucrats, stops wasting money on vanity projects, and obliges employees to contribute more to their
Boom. NBC on California governor's race: "They'd need a flood of ballots coming in the wee hours of the morning to lift both Dems above (R) Steve Hilton."
I agree, but Don't be surprised if a flood of ballots come in the wee hours of the morning, or in the next 30 days, while
California voters in ALL major cities are rejecting new taxes, at least in early primary results.
- SF's "overpaid CEO tax" is losing 45%-55%
- LA County's 0.5% sales tax hike is losing 47%-53%
- SD's second-home tax is losing 42%-58%
November's "billionaire tax" is in trouble.
California’s High-Speed Rail Board approved two major items:
1) a $3.5 Billion contract to a single bidder to start laying track this year.
2) a controversial business plan that proposes tax increment financing, data centers to help pay for the project:
Amid leadership shakeup, California High-Speed Rail Authority continues struggle with transparency
Despite preaching about the need to be more transparent, leaders overseeing the California High-Speed Rail Project wou...
www.kcra.com
My column in SDUT about a couple of taxpayer victories. Don't give up on California just yet. "Opinion: Two welcome displays of tax sanity in San Diego." @hjta.
Opinion: Two welcome displays of tax sanity in San Diego
These taxpayer victories should give other Californians real hope.
www.sandiegouniontribune.com
Notice the deflection by Newsom. "California falls behind Texas in Fortune 500 ranking." @hjta.
California falls behind Texas in Fortune 500 ranking
This year, 57 of the top companies are headquartered in Texas, compared with California’s 56. It’s a reversal ...
www.latimes.com
A worthy read. "An Inconvenient Environmental Truth." @hjta.
An Inconvenient Environmental Truth
By Mike Stoker, esq.(ret.), Professor James W. Rector (UC Berkeley), Professor Michael Mische (USC), and Joseph Silva (UC Berkeley)
open.substack.com
“Nobody’s asking the critical questions as to whether we’re getting the value for the existing dollar,” said Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. "Tax to bail out struggling Bay Area transit agencies appears headed to voters."
Tax to bail out struggling Bay Area transit agencies appears headed to voters
Supporters say they’ve gathered enough signatures to place a sales tax measure on the November ballot.
www.mercurynews.com
Well, duh. "In 2022, LA voters approved a new tax on sales of the city’s most expensive properties. Opponents say it is making L.A.’s housing shortage worse." @hjta. via @WSJ
Los Angeles Tried to Tax Mansions. Apartment Construction Tanked.
Developers say the levy is making L.A.’s housing shortage worse. The city is considering changes.
www.wsj.com
Gee, who would have thought that all that free stuff would attract drug addicts from other states to move to L.A.? "More Than Half of L.A.’s Homeless Are Not from L.A." @hjta.
More Than Half of L.A.’s Street Homeless Are Not from L.A.
The magnet effect is real—and fatally undermines the “housing first” narrative.
www.city-journal.org
This is understandable given that there was never an initial determination of viability in 2008. "As high-speed rail cost estimate soars, state lawmakers move to hide information from taxpayers." @hjta.
As high-speed rail cost estimate soars, state lawmakers move to hide information from taxpayers
The California high-speed rail system’s price tag continues to grow, even though there is little hope that Califor...
www.ocregister.com
Stunning. In light of the epidemic of fraud, California should be cutting taxes, not raising them. "The $1.3 billion frozen payment from the feds is a drop in California’s leaky Medicaid budget." @hjta. via @WSJopinion
Opinion | The Great California Medicaid Grift
Why the federal share of the state’s spending on the program is $138 billion, more than the general fund of every other state.
www.wsj.com
"The check's in the mail;" "I am not a crook;" "I did not have sex with that woman;" The CA budget is balanced." You get the drift. @hjta.
Nice to see @EastBayTimes making the right call. @hjta.
The local newspaper editorial board has recognized what a sham the Contra Costa Measure B sales tax is.
Hopefully voters will finally realize that the constant refrain of "raise taxes or people will die" is BS.
California, are you paying attention? "Millionaires Leave If You Tax Them: New York's Millionaire Exodus Has Already Left New York's Government Nearly $12 Billion Poorer - Foundation - National Taxpayers Union." @hjta.
Millionaires Leave If You Tax Them: New York’s Millionaire Exodus Has Already Left New York’s...
View PDF Key Facts Even as New York Governor Kathy Hochul begs millionaires to return from Florida, New York Cit...
www.ntu.org
New Podcast Drop
Straight Talk with @HJTA President @joncoupal On The Billionaire Tax, Tom Steyer, And California’s War On Taxpayers
We discuss Tom Steyer’s push to weaken Proposition 13, the billionaire tax proposal, exploding transfer taxes, and why taxpayer backlash may be
California’s government gives new meaning to the phrase “nanny state” as Gov. Gavin Newsom introduces a diaper service. via @WSJopinion
Gavin Newsom Offers Diaper Service
California’s government gives new meaning to the phrase ‘nanny state.’
www.wsj.com
Well, this is disturbing on so many levels. "Why Did California Award This Alleged Hamas Front $40 Million?" @hjta.
Why Did California Award This Alleged Hamas Front $40 Million?
Other states are trying to shutter CAIR branches. Gavin Newsom is writing them checks.
disq.us
No fooling, Sherlock. "California’s Wealth Tax Will Backfire. @hjta.
California’s Wealth Tax Will Backfire
Revenue losses from a billionaire exodus will overshadow initial gains.
www.city-journal.org
This is CA & LA in a nutshell. Allowing rampant copper theft leaves taxpayers on the hook. How about we hold politicians and thieves both accountable? "Karen Bass can’t catch copper thieves, so she’s going to pick your pockets." @hjta. via @ladailynews
Karen Bass can’t catch copper thieves, so she’s going to pick your pockets
The city of Los Angeles doesn’t have a streetlight problem. It has a prosecution problem.
www.dailynews.com
Thank you to all our members and supporters who made this happen. "Jon Coupal: Taxpayer protection initiative qualifies for the November ballot." @hjta.
Jon Coupal: Taxpayer protection initiative qualifies for the November ballot
Those who want to help in this battle are encouraged to visit www.SaveProp13.com.
www.ocregister.com
Comprehensive article in @CityJournal on the absurd level of IHSS fraud in California. Progressives benefit from the system so don't expect wholesale changes. "Gavin Newsom’s $30 Billion Fraud Magnet." @hjta.
Gavin Newsom’s $30 Billion Fraud Magnet
California’s In-Home Supportive Services Program is ripe for scams, experts say.
www.city-journal.org
🚨California is on the brink of a new TAXPAYER REVOLT!
Howard Jarvis President @joncoupal explains what’s at stake when the “Save Prop 13” initiative is voted on this November.
Bingo: "Blue State Fraud Is a Policy Choice." @hjta. via @WSJFreeEx
Opinion | Blue State Fraud Is a Policy Choice
It’s no coincidence that the states with the biggest social programs also have the weakest systems to detect fraud.
www.wsj.com
California’s Medi-Cal sales tax playbook is spreading but inviting skepticism
California’s Medi-Cal sales tax playbook is spreading but inviting skepticism
This success by healthcare unions, hospital systems, and politically aligned county supervisors created a template that ...
www.ocregister.com
Short answer: Yes. "Infographic: Are people leaving California? Here’s what the numbers show us." @hjta.
Infographic: Are people leaving California? Here’s what the numbers show us
Annual interstate migration statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau give us a picture of who is moving where.
www.dailybreeze.com
As if sales taxes weren't high enough in this state. "California’s Medi-Cal sales tax playbook is spreading but inviting skepticism." @hjta.
California’s Medi-Cal sales tax playbook is spreading but inviting skepticism
This success by healthcare unions, hospital systems, and politically aligned county supervisors created a template that ...
www.ocregister.com
The planet's biggest boondoggle rolls on. "California’s High-Speed Rail Still Isn’t Running—But the Spending Never Stops." @hjta.
California’s High-Speed Rail Still Isn’t Running—But the Spending Never Stops - The Daily Signal
It’s been more than a decade and a half since I first wrote that the California bullet train to nowhere would be a disaster.
www.dailysignal.com
And yet progressives' push for higher taxes in California continue unabated. "High-tax states continue to lose tens of billions of dollars in taxable income to low-tax states." @hjta. via @WSJopinion
Opinion | The High-Tax Wealth Flight Continues
IRS data show that taxpayers keep fleeing rapacious states even after the pandemic.
www.wsj.com
Newsom's next claim is that the parrot is still alive. "Fact-Checking Newsom’s Absurd Low-Tax California Claim." @hjta.
Fact-Checking Newsom’s Absurd Low-Tax California Claim - The Daily Signal
Gov. Patrick Bateman meets Sparkle Beach Ken says that California is a low-tax state.
www.dailysignal.com
Regrettably true. "California Judges Are Major Contributor to State's Poor Business Climate." @hjta. https://californiaglobe.com/fr/california-judges-are-major-contributor-to-states-poor-business-climate/
Schultzless in Seattle via @WSJFreeEx
Opinion | Schultzless in Seattle
The billionaire ex-Starbucks CEO is joining the exodus to Florida. Plus, Kyle Smith on the Oscars.
www.wsj.com