[Cross-posted from OC Blog] Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced the formation yesterday of a state blue ribbon commission to look at overhauling the state’s tax code. The commission appointments were divided among the Governor and Democratic legislative bosses.

Among the Governor’s appointees was Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle. Congratulations to Curt: I’m glad there is at least a few conservatives on the commission — it’s Russian roulette when it comes to the Governator appointing conservatives to anything.

I have two words for the commission: flat tax. Toss the pernicious progressive tax system out in favor of a single tax rate on incomes. The current system makes state revenues dependent on the fortunes and decisions of a tiny fraction of the state population. When one of those individuals… Read More

For some weekend reading, I am pleased to present this commentary from freshman Republican Assemblyman Dan Logue…

THE TIME FOR BUDGET REFORM IS NOW Assemblyman Dan Logue

At the beginning of this past week the Legislature convened in a rare joint session. On the floor of the Assembly, members of the Senate and Assembly came together to hear the sober message of the Governor’s Fiscal Director, State Treasurer and Controller officers regarding the magnitude of the State’s fiscal crisis. However, this year’s budget shortfall should come as no surprise. For several years California has prospered with large increases in state revenue, yet many of these same leaders did nothing to prepare for rainy days. During that time, the state’s revenues increased over 30%, but spending went up even… Read More

For some weekend reading, I am pleased to present this commentary from freshman Republican Assemblyman Dan Logue…

THE TIME FOR BUDGET REFORM IS NOW Assemblyman Dan Logue

At the beginning of this past week the Legislature convened in a rare joint session. On the floor of the Assembly, members of the Senate and Assembly came together to hear the sober message of the Governor’s Fiscal Director, State Treasurer and Controller officers regarding the magnitude of the State’s fiscal crisis. However, this year’s budget shortfall should come as no surprise. For several years California has prospered with large increases in state revenue, yet many of these same leaders did nothing to prepare for rainy days. During that time, the state’s revenues increased over 30%, but spending went up even… Read More

Lameduck San Diego area conservative Republican Duncan Hunter voted "Aye" on Barney Frank’s 14 billion dollar bailout bill for the Auto Industry (read: United Autoworkers), which passed on a largely partisan vote by 237 to 170. But San Diego area Democrat Bob Filner voted "Nay." He was the only California Democrat to do so.

Democat Jim Costa, lameduck Republican John Doolittle, conservative Republican Dana Rohrabacher, Republican Gary Miller, all were listed among the 26 Members of Congress "Not Voting" on the measure.

Republicans Darryl Issa, David Drier, Buck McKeon, Elton Gallegly, Ed Royce, Ken Calvert, Brian Bilbray, MaryBono Mack, Wally Herger, Jerry Lewis, Dan Lungren, and most all other Republicans were recorded as voting "Nay."

And Orange County’s Republican John Campbell, was present, but did not vote on the bill. In otherwords, he was there for the vote, but didn’t vote "Aye" or "Nay." He voted "Present." He was the only Member of Congress to do so.… Read More

On December 10th, the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) held an emergency workshop in Sacramento to address growing concerns that the recycling industry may grind to a halt if recyclers cannot find markets for the material they are keeping out of our landfills. With the world economy in tumult, the typical buyers who keep the recycling market alive have arrested purchasing, causing a stockpile of recyclable material that brokers must warehouse. If they cannot find a place to sell those materials, will they end up glutting our nation’s landfills? Today on Go Green Radio, I’ll talk with Margo Reid Brown, Chairman of the CIWMB, about this impending crisis. Tune into www.VoiceAmerica.com at 9 a.m. to hear the show live, or check out the archived podcast later today at http://www.modavox.com/voiceamericacms/WebModules/HostModaview.aspx?HostId=519&ChannelId=1&Flag=1 … Read More

Yesterday the Governor announced the twelve person membership of a special state task force that is being charged with reviewing the way that the tax system works in California, with the idea of recommending an overhaul to try and move away from the current volatile system where tax revenues are very mercurial, shooting up and down depending on external factors.

We’ll be writing more next week about this Commission, but FR reached out to one of California’s leading tax policy experts, Jon Coupal of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, for his reaction to the formal formation of the panel.

Yesterday the Governor announced the twelve person membership of a special state task force that is being charged with reviewing the way that the tax system works in California, with the idea of recommending an overhaul to try and move away from the current volatile system where tax revenues are very mercurial, shooting up and down depending on external factors.

We’ll be writing more next week about this Commission, but FR reached out to one of California’s leading tax policy experts, Jon Coupal of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, for his reaction to the formal formation of the panel.

Yesterday I blogged in response to the Governor’s throwing rocks at Republican legislators over their resolute stand against rewarding the chronic overspending with tax increases. The Governor’s office responded here. I figured that I should, in turn, respond to the Governor… So read on… Numbers can be manipulated all you want to make the Governor seem like he is a fiscal champion, but the fact remains that spending has increased by over 30 percent under Schwarzenegger, from $78.6 billion when the Governor took office to $103.3 billion today. (See the Legislative Analyst’s Historical Expenditure Chart here.)

We know that… Read More