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California car buyers face a 488% higher fee under a bill the Senate just passed
Hott #CALeg budget news in PM Playbook: Assembly Dems are voting internally on backing tax hikes
https://politi.co/3HspmF9
California Democratic lawmakers are considering a healthcare-related tax hike on major corporations like Walmart and Amazon.
Business groups say they expect this to be just the beginning of a series of attempts to raise taxes in CA over the next year.
On this date in 1978, Californians approved Proposition 13 with 64.8% of the voters in support. Proposition 8, the Legislature’s split-roll alternative, was defeated, with 53% opposed. Turnout was 68.88 percent, matching Secretary of State March Fong Eu’s prediction, and there…
If you own property in California and you don't want to be taxed out of it, join the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association at http://hjta.org and stay informed about the attacks on Prop. 13 and what's being done to stop them. New initiative: http://www.SaveProp13.com
Hundreds of Sacramento Blue Diamond Growers employees to lose job as plant will shut down | Click on the image to read the full story
Happy birthday, Prop. 13! Forty-seven never looked so good!
Polls show that most Californians favor continuing the high-speed rail project, but pollsters don't ask respondents which other programs should be cut or what taxes should be raised to pay for it. States must balance their budgets, so there are tradeoffs.
That was fast.
New column: California's deficit dilemma: Cut spending, borrow money or raise taxes?
Confronted with the prospect of paying a tax to own a driveway, former Mayor Willie Brown laughed for a full 20 seconds.
“What kind of nonsense is this?” Brown demanded.
Yeah, everything's fine in California. @hjta.
CA Senate debating one of the affordability bills Democrats in this house consider part of their push to bring down cost of utility bills - SB 254.
Sen. Josh Becker has been repeatedly asked how exactly this is going to save people money in plain speak. GOP says it won’t.
Gee, I thought progressives were against "income inequality." Instead, their policies create it. "California's high living costs and high poverty sharpen its economic divide." @hjta.
California’s gas tax will increase another 2 cents per gallon starting July 1.
The annual increase now brings the total state tax to 61 cents per gallon.
Updated clean air standards may also go into effect that month, which are also expected to raise prices at the pump.
Six months after promising to focus on affordability and the high cost of living in California, CALeg still has no set plan to tackle the issue.
Of nearly 700 proposed laws they need to get through by Friday's deadline, 9 are related to affordability.
My @ocregister column: Home sellers: Be sure to keep your home improvement records in order to avoid being hit with excessive capital gains tax. "Capital gains tax: Another hit to homeowners." @hjta
Looking forward to @SenecaSpeaks21 speaking to our group in Concord on June 27 at 11:45. Please join us by signing up at https://cocotax.org/event-6189658
By asserting that the tunnel project is part of the State Water Project, the governor is asserting that voters approved debt for it in 1960, before Prop. 13. That means he thinks the cost can go on property tax bills without voter approval. It's a time tunnel.
Republicans, don’t fall for California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s $7.5 billion Tinseltown tax tactic. via @WSJopinion @hjta.
In California infrastructure-speak, 'fast-tracking' in this instance can be loosely defined as 'possibly in service by 2060'.
EDITORIAL: Budget trutherism is on the rise in CA. Politicans & interest groups have a bridge to sell you: Our budget woes aren’t real. Daring to disagree can get leaders ousted, as in Oakland Unified & City College of SF. The consequences will be stark.
California's nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office informed the Legislature that it can raise taxes and redistribute wealth, but taxpayers might not like it.
CA will likely face budget deficits of $10 billion to $20 billion through fiscal year 2028-2029, according to a new report from the nonpartisan @LAO_CA office, which notes that "going forward, the budget problems will become more difficult to solve." https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5052
Not pretty. As one would expect, California ranks poorly. "States Where People Spend the Most & Least on Housing." @hjta. via+@WalletHub
Grand Jury seeks transparency in Fresno County property tax bills via @sjvsun
"Federal authorities are coming after our California Values in a way that could force state residents to accept safer streets and lower prices."
Sunday column for the Southern California News Group:
We need more adults in Sacramento. "Jon Coupal: Gavin Newsom’s seriously unserious budget proposal." @hjta.
This story is burying the lede. For the 7th year in a row -- the duration of Tony Thurmond's term as State Superintendent of Public Instruction -- CA public school enrollment has declined. Looking down the line, it's only going to get worse.
Link to the data in the replies.
Even though I will personally benefit from an increase in the SALT cap, it is still bad policy. CA should not be rewarded for its high tax burden. "A higher SALT cap will have no economic payoff and subsidizes profligate Democratic-run states." @hjta. .
In order for democracy to survive, we need an educated citizenry. But California's education policies would, by all appearances, suggest that there is a concerted effort to keep students ignorant. Time for robust school choice. @hjta.
Newsom’s ed budget: high spending, low results - Capitol Weekly
OPINION - Despite a $12 billion budget deficit, Governor Gavin Newsom still proposes to spend more on the state’...
capitolweekly.net
Happy birthday, Prop. 13! Forty-seven never looked so good!
Yeah, everything's fine in California. @hjta.
Gee, I thought progressives were against "income inequality." Instead, their policies create it. "California's high living costs and high poverty sharpen its economic divide." @hjta.
California's high living costs and high poverty sharpen its economic divide
California went from being a state with high economic mobility and opportunity to a society starkly separated by wealth, income and race.
calmatters.org
So tell me again why we need higher taxes? Prop. 13 is working just fine for both homeowners and local governments. "LA County property values top $2 trillion." via @ladailynews @hjta.
LA County property values top $2 trillion
Sales volume declined significantly compared to 2022, however, home prices remained strong through 2023, with the medi...
www.dailynews.com
My @ocregister column: Home sellers: Be sure to keep your home improvement records in order to avoid being hit with excessive capital gains tax. "Capital gains tax: Another hit to homeowners." @hjta
Capital gains tax: Another hit to homeowners
A new problem is beginning to emerge that will surprise many homeowners when they sell their primary residences
www.ocregister.com
Republicans, don’t fall for California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s $7.5 billion Tinseltown tax tactic. via @WSJopinion @hjta.
Opinion | Hollywood Doesn’t Need a Tax Subsidy
Newsom wants to get Trump on board for a $7.5 billion tax credit.
www.wsj.com
Not pretty. As one would expect, California ranks poorly. "States Where People Spend the Most & Least on Housing." @hjta. via+@WalletHub
States Where People Spend the Most & Least on Housing
States Where People Spend the Most & Least on Housing
wallethub.com
We need more adults in Sacramento. "Jon Coupal: Gavin Newsom’s seriously unserious budget proposal." @hjta.
Jon Coupal: Gavin Newsom’s seriously unserious budget proposal
There’s nothing fair about it. They have the party and taxpayers get the hangover.
www.ocregister.com
Even though I will personally benefit from an increase in the SALT cap, it is still bad policy. CA should not be rewarded for its high tax burden. "A higher SALT cap will have no economic payoff and subsidizes profligate Democratic-run states." @hjta. .
Opinion | The GOP’s SALT Deal Folly
Republicans make it easier for Democrats to raise state taxes.
www.wsj.com
Our new initiative proposal to close the court-created loopholes in Prop. 13. "Jon Coupal: Support the Save Proposition 13 Act of 2026." @hjta.
Jon Coupal: Support the Save Proposition 13 Act of 2026
Taxpayers are fighting back.
www.ocregister.com
As other states pursue thoughtful fiscal policies that promote growth, California heads in the opposite direction. "CA Governor moves right on cultural issues, but doesn’t repudiate progressive tax-and-welfare orthodoxy." @hjta via @WSJopinion
Opinion | Gavin Newsom’s High-Tax Revenue Woes
As he moves right on culture, he still has a tax-and-welfare problem.
www.wsj.com
So, California, how do you like this map? I didn't think so. "State and Local Tax Collections Per Capita by State, 2025." @hjta.
State and Local Tax Collections Per Capita by State, 2025
According to the latest economic data from the US Census Bureau, the average per capita state and local tax burd...
taxfoundation.org
Great question. "She was S.F.’s most moderate supe. Why is she now pushing so many irresponsible pension expansions?" @hjta @emily_hoeven via @sfchronicle
She was S.F.’s most moderate supe. Why is she now pushing so many irresponsible pension expansions?
Catherine Stefani’s recent pension expansion effort is a surprising twist for a...
www.sfchronicle.com
Read it here: https://tinyurl.com/4csbs77w
Advice to Mahan: Bank on the Basics
"Garbage collection, sidewalks, fire protection, and police services may not be sexy, but they are what citizens want." @joncoupal @seldomtravelled
This is correct. HJTA is monitoring the protest procedure. @hjta. "San Diego’s Garbage Gauge: City Sticks Homeowners With The Trash Bill." https://open.substack.com/pub/theflashreport/p/san-diegos-garbage-gauge-city-sticks?r=1vuxk&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
This @DanCALmatters piece is a must read: "When California politicians ignore policy risks, failure and scandal often result" @hjta. (I would have said "always" but I won't quibble.)
When California politicians ignore policy risks, failure and scandal often result
California lawmakers have a knack for instituting major programs and policies without scrutinizing the potential downsides.
calmatters.org
Any guesses where California ranks? "Affordability and Homebuilding: State-by-State Report Cards." @hjta. via @RDC_Economics
Affordability and Homebuilding: State-by-State Report Cards
States have a clear mandate to address housing affordability, so we are assigning grades based on how they are d...
www.realtor.com
Banked vacation leads to a $1.2-million payday: How state workers cash in on days off. “There’s no parallel to this in the private sector,” said Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn. “Obviously this is a problem.” @hjta.
Banked vacation leads to a $1.2-million payday: How state workers cash in on days off
More and more state workers are able to retire with massive payouts for unused vacation and other leave, with a ...
www.latimes.com
250 years ago today, American patriots stood up against tyranny. @hjta. Let's keep the revolution going.
Let me get this straight: At the same time San Diego is pushing a new trash fee on homeowners, a senior attorney ($300k/year) gets to work from "home" on a cruise ship??? "Bon voyage: Top SD lawyer collecting full pay during 4-month global cruise. @hjta.
Bon voyage: Top San Diego lawyer collecting full pay during 4-month global cruise
Weeks after Jean Jordan was promoted by the newly elected city attorney, she left for an around-the-world cruise.
www.sandiegouniontribune.com
Sorry, Ray. There's not enough lipstick in the world . . . "New plan to accelerate California high-speed rail construction deserves attention, support." @hjta
New plan to accelerate California high-speed rail construction deserves attention, support
The new chief executive for California's high-speed rail project has a plan to accelerate construction and attract private investment.
calmatters.org
If there were any doubts as to why Prop. 13 is so important to CA homeowners, this @wsj article should dispel them entirely. "Americans have amassed $35 trillion of wealth in their homes, yet many feel less well off because of it." @hjta. via @WSJ
Americans Have $35 Trillion in Housing Wealth—and It’s Costing Them
Surging home equity is all the more important in a declining stock market. But it’s come with rising property ...
www.wsj.com
Democrats certainly aren't shy about keeping their machinations out of public view. "Democracy in the dark: How California lawmakers are trying to shield themselves from public view." @hjta.
Democracy in the dark: How California lawmakers are trying to shield themselves from public view
Transparency alert: While Californians confront officials at town halls, politicians are pushing bills to shield themselves from public view.
calmatters.org
Did these people not get the memo that citizens want the state to stop coddling violent offenders? "California to spend $239 million to turn San Quentin into Scandinavian-style rehab center." @hjta. via @sfchronicle
California to spend $239 million to turn San Quentin into Scandinavian-style rehab center
A farmers market and a podcast studio are among the amenities likely coming to San...
www.sfchronicle.com
Proposed South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) regulations on gas appliances are just the latest example of narrow thinking. "Sacramento consistently fails to consider the long-term consequences." @hjta.
Sacramento consistently fails to consider the long-term consequences
These failures in governance have one thing in common – the absence of serious consideration of present realities or downstream effects.
www.ocregister.com
Holy Moly. This looks like an impending train wreck for Democrats "2030 Apportionment Forecast - 2022 - The American ... " @hjta. Hol
2030 Apportionment Forecast - 2022 - The American Redistricting ...
Found on Google from thearp.org
images.app.goo.gl
And yet they expect a bailout from state taxpayers. Hard pass. "Los Angeles announced a $1 billion budget hole owing to a slowing economy and soaring payouts to public unions." @hjta. via @WSJopinion
Opinion | Los Angeles Goes for Broke—Literally
The city faces a huge budget hole after years of mismanagement.
www.wsj.com
The graph embedded in this article is very illuminating. "California epitomizes the leftist policies that harm workers and employers. That’s why so many are leaving for Texas." via @WSJopinion. @hjta.
Opinion | A Tale of Two States on Job Creation
California had a jobs recession in 2024, Texas had a jobs boom.
www.wsj.com