Activists, Unions Take Aim at Governor Brown’s Budget Grip
California Governor Jerry Brown has been known to rule the state’s budget with a tough grip. Not much has passed or been voted down without him having a hand in the decision. The governor has fought for tax hikes, put the kybosh on new programs that call for more spending and worked tirelessly on building up the state’s rainy day fund. However, someone might have finally cracked the fortress.
Thanks to some new efforts by activists and unions who want tax reform and additional funding in the state, the governor may have to let go of his grip, at least just a hair. That’s because several different attempts from various sources are pushing the governor for various different reasons. For example, the reasons for these new proposals include getting more funding, building a shield against another recession and pushing a political agenda.
One proposal would extend the higher taxes that Gov. Brown himself campaigned for in 2012. Another proposal would change California’s landmark restrictions on property taxes, which could help increase money from commercial interests. Still, another proposal is calling for an oil extraction tax and yet another possible plan would be to increase the cigarette tax levy.
Meanwhile, although the governor has yet to publicly respond to these proposals he has stated before that he does not favor extending Proposition 30, which increased levies on the highest earners and raised the sales tax by a quarter-cent. Brown does not want lower and middle class families to end up paying more in taxes in an effort to stabilize revenue collection.
Wealthy Should Prepare for Audits by Keeping Organized Records
Wealthy Should Prepare for Audits by Keeping Organized Records Expensive art collections, investment hobbies and offshore bank accounts may raise red flags when it comes to IRS audits. In 2011, the Internal Revenue Service audited 29.93% of taxpayers who reported more than $10 million of annual income [1]. This percentage increased by 18.38% from 2010.…
What Separates Ultra Rich From Everyone Else?
What Separates Ultra Rich From Everyone Else? By Alan Olsen There’s an old cliché in the sporting world that many coaches have used in an effort to help lift their teams when they face what appear to be insurmountable odds. The saying goes: “They put their pants on one leg at time,” or something very…
“Madoff” or “Ponzi-Type” Tax Losses
“Madoff” or “Ponzi-Type” Tax Losses Update: 12/9/09 Wall Street Journal Article: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124623441944466541.html In addition to other good information about the type and amount of refunds people are obtaining it says in the last paragraph: “On Monday, Sen. Charles Schumer (D., N.Y.) proposed a bill that seeks to further expand the carry-back period up to six…
Military Family Tax Relief Act of 2003
Military Family Tax Relief Act of 2003 On Nov. 11, 2003, President Bush signed into law the Military Family Tax Relief Act of 2003. Among its provisions are these tax breaks related to military personnel: Death benefits The death gratuity paid to survivors of deceased Armed Forces members rises to $12,000 and is not taxable…