Hows the weather in California?

[pope]

You guys that live in Cali, can you tell the rest of us what that will mean to your way of life out there or will it be pretty much a minor thing. What kinds of things are they talking about as far as increased taxes?

[So Cal Mark]

it will slam those of us that fit in the slumdog category; doubled car lic fee, 1% increase in sales tax, hefty increase in state income tax, 12 cent per gallon gas tax increase. Oh, how I wish Arnie was back in the movies instead of "fixing" Calif.

[jimincalif]

You guys that live in Cali, can you tell the rest of us what that will mean to your way of life out there or will it be pretty much a minor thing. What kinds of things are they talking about as far as increased taxes?

We're pretty much screwed here in Taxifornia.

Even with the tax increases the budget will be in deficit again next year. They are still borrowing and plugging the budget with anticipated federal bailout money. These sources will be gone next year, but spending will continue to grow (up 40% just since the Governator took office!) And just like when they raised taxes in the early 90s, they will not realize all the increased revenue they're budgeting for. It will just accelerate the exodus of productive people and business activity from the state. Also just like in the 90s it will make the recession here longer and deeper. Our unemployment is already 2% more than the national average.

California's role as the "golden state" has been "terminated".

[SpiderHead]

Jim nailed it. We are screwed.

[pope]

We dont have it so good either. We have a Canadian as Governor, but she is term limited and will be gone thank God. I was hoping Obama would pick her for some position in the cabinet to be gone faster.

[So Cal Mark]

far better to have a Canadian gov than a crummy clueless B movie actor. I was hoping Obama would pick Arnie as an ambassador to Saturn and ship him off in space

[pope]

Mark, from what I've been reading, seems the bigger problem to your guys is the Legislature and that so many of your budgets cant be touched except with voter approval. On the other hand, in good times they cant keep adding to the budgets. I agree the Arnies time has passes. I think you need Pelosi as Governor! LOL

[So Cal Mark]

Cali's troubles mirror what most average families are experiencing. And our troubles are complicated and intertwined. Govenator refused to sign several budgets, but yet his idea for all of his years in office has been to borrow to balance the budget. Sort of like the average American living off credit cards and home equity. Even our new budget relies on borrowing from future lottery earnings.

[pope]

Whats the new added taxes for the OctoMom? Heard the hospital bill was 1.2 mil.

[So Cal Mark]

considering they just made billions of dollars of tax cuts permanent for the largest corps in Calif (you know, the ones that have outsourced all of their jobs) 1.2 mil for a few kids is a bargain

[narfire]

Send Arnie to Saturn ? I read somewhere men were from Mars. ( Women are from... well thats open for discussion)

In trying to keep up in current events I have heard that California was/is in a bit of a bind. Calif. is about one city shy of having the same population as Canada. I would be worried as well if the government could'nt make payroll. I think most politicians initially want to make a difference, however, some sooner than others, their ego gets the better of them(or coruption) and everything goes to hell-in-a-handbasket . This is evident in federal, provincial(state) or municipal governments. I do hope Obama will be an exception.
Good luck down there and remember every day you don't see your name in the obits. your going to have a good day.

[So Cal Mark]

the only good thing in the new fees is they decided not to tax auto repair labor (yet).

[SpiderHead]

In the long run, the best thing for Kalifornia, would be to let it go bankrupt. This would mean that the socialist legislature would have no means to borrow more money, and would have to actually spend no more than the taxes they collect.

A bunch of people would be hurt in that, but a bunch of us are already hurting.

The fastest route to solvency is simply reality.

The Kalifornia legislature has been living in Fairy land for too long.

We should recall every single one of them, and refuse to pay them any manner of pension at all.

I think John and Ken (a popular afternoon drive-time talk show in LA) may have it right. I wanna see some heads on sticks!

The budget has grown by 40% since Benedict Arnold Governator took office? Are you kidding me? What kind of crap is that?

This "low taxes fiscal conservative" has thrown us under the bus. Every single budget since he took office... passed over his desk, and he signed every single one of them. I admired him when he took office, but I would kick Conan's ass now if he knocked on my door.

He took a broken state, and broke it more.

Every year new propositions spending our tax dollars have also been passed... Gah!

Local revolution sounds like a real possibility.

The only important people in Kalifornia are the public employee unions, police/firefighters (also union), and illegal immigrants. Which, beyond a shadow of a doubt, vote in this state. The rest of us, are only here to pay for all of that. We serve no other purpose. We are slaves to the almighty Kalifornia.

Meh...

-Ryan

[rlux4]

Don't get me started.
Ron

[pope]

Ron, did you hear that California is going to tax dust and wind! Your in trouble. LOL. I want to hear your thoughts anyways...chime in.