Russ Steele
This is from the California County News:
Leader of the California Senate, Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, has introduced a bill that would give local governments the power to raise taxes through approval of multiple new local levies. Here’s a basic summary of SB 653, which is making its way through the Capitol: Any board of supervisors of any county or city would be empowered, “subject to specified constitutional and voter approval requirements, to levy, increase, or extend a local personal income tax, transactions and use tax, vehicle license fee, and excise tax, including, but not limited to, an alcoholic beverages tax, a cigarette and tobacco products tax, a sweetened beverage tax, and an oil severance tax, as provided.” Steinberg would be able to pass this bill with a simple majority in both houses. The legislation stops short of being a direct tax hike, as local governments would merely have the option of imposing these new taxes with approval from local voters.
I wonder of Darrell Steinberg has stocks in U-Haul and other moving companies. This is just another opportuntiy for tax and spend political leaders to save government jobs while stealing the wealth of everyday citizens. If this bill passes the cities and towns with huge givernement pension short falls will seek to tax their way out of the problem with the support of government unions who will flood the media with sob stories. If enough liberal voters will fall these new taxes hook like and sinker, the local business will be calling U-Haul to schedule a truck to Texas and other lower tax states. This bill will only create more California jobs loses.