Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Democratic hopes for California tax increases hinge on GOP votes

AFP: California has a revenue surplus. Democrats want to raise taxes anyway. They need to peel off a few Republicans to make it happen. Republicans have been bought off in past years and supported tax increases - hopefully this time Republicans will all stand against adding another tax to the highest taxed state in the nation.



As the first year of the session winds down with transportation and health care among the issues on the table, whether lawmakers move to boost revenues is among the most intriguing questions on the docket.

Proposals include increasing the gas tax by 12 cents per gallon and raising vehicle registration fees by some $35 a year, imposing a new levy on managed health care plans and adding a $2 tax to each pack of cigarettes. Democrats have also discussed extending temporary sales and income taxes set to expire in 2016 and 2018.

A handful of Republicans would have to join majority Democrats to raise taxes in the special session...
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