Editor,
In an analysis of how 50 states spend, tax and balance their budgets, USA Today ranked California close to bottom as "the worst-performing states." The San Mateo Area Chamber of Commerce urges California voters to vote on several very important propositions on the March 2 ballot. We need to make California a desirable place to do business, which in turn makes California a desirable place to live.
Proposition 56 is commonly known as the blank check initiative. Its real aim is to make it much easier for legislators to increase taxes. It eliminates the current requirement that any tax be approved by a two-thirds vote of the Legislature. Proposition 56 will give Sacramento politicians a freer hand to increase sales and income taxes, property taxes - in the form of a parcel tax - and other state taxes year after year, without justification or bipartisan consensus. State taxpayers are already paying up to $130 billion in state and local taxes each year. Last year alone, there were nearly 100 additional tax and fee increases proposed in the state Legislature that totaled almost $65 billion. Proposition 56 is a deceptive measure. The proponents state that the purpose is to hold legislators accountable; the REAL purpose is to make it easier for legislators to raise state taxes.
Vote YES on Proposition 57 - The Economic Recovery Bond Act and Vote YES on Proposition 58 - the California Balanced Budget Act. For three years, state government spending has greatly exceeded revenues, creating a sizable deficit. Proposition 57 will provide a one-time bond of up to $15 billion to pay off the state's accumulated deficit. The bond act will not take effect unless voters also approve Proposition 58. Proposition 58 will prohibit borrowing to pay deficits and requires enactment of a balanced budget. The bonds will be secured by existing tax revenues and other revenues that could be deposited in a special fund. This bond measure will consolidate the deficit and allow California to get its finances in order without raising taxes.
Our economy is moving slowly forward and with the high cost of operating in California, business is hesitant to add workers. Let's work together to boost our economy by passing legislation that will put California on the right track. Join the Chamber of Commerce and other groups working hard to make California a better place to do business.
Vote NO on Proposition 56. Vote YES on propositions 57 and 58.
Linda Asbury
San Mateo
Please purchase a Premium Subscription to continue reading.
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.
We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.
A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means you’re helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
Only subscribers can view and post comments on articles.
Already a subscriber? Login Here
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.