Grover Norquist the President of Americans for Tax Reform has issued a strong statement against Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed large sales tax increase, which is a center piece to his current budget proposal. This follows up on an a column he penned for the FlashReport which ran last week. Also of note from Norquist — FR readers may recall that we blogged about a group of self-described affluent folks who wrote to the legislature asking to be taxed at a higher rate to help solve the budget problems. Norquist sent a letter to the Governor and legislature in response to this, which is attached below his statement on the tax plan…it is a must read.
From Norquist:
“Politicians in California have spent the state taxpayers’ money with little regard for the men and women who earned it.
State government spending has increased 42% since 2003. The population of California has risen only 8 % during the same time period.
California government is getting fatter, less effective, and more expensive. Politicians in Sacramento have repeatedly tried to trick Californians into accepting a tax increase rather than demand reform. The latest proposal from Governor Schwarzenegger is a promise to cut the sales tax, but only after a multi-billion dollar sales tax increase.
This tax increase ploy will go down in history as the ‘J. Wellington Wimpy’ tax hike. Americans remember the wily Mr. Wimpy, cartoon friend of Popeye, for famously proclaiming “I’d gladly pay you Tuesday for a Hamburger today.” The joke is that everyone knows that there would be no payment made on Tuesday.
The Governor’s proposed sales tax increase is not funny. Everyone knows that the tax hike would be permanent and the promise of lower taxes in the future is as likely as payment on Tuesday from J. Wellington Wimpy.”
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