The Great California Screw Job
The California Deficit Debacle
Thank you former Governor Gray Davis and the Democratic California State Legislature for sticking it to the people. The California government is spent more money than it took in (by $40 billion dollars) and they expect the people to pay for it. Yes, other states have a deficit, but combine all of those deficits and California's is still bigger.
During the recall election, Cruz Bustamonte called on a series of tax hikes that he affectionately called "Tough Love for California." Let me get this right. You (the government) spend $40 billion dollars more than you have and you're coming after the people as "Tough Love?"
Since it takes a super majority to raise taxes in California, the government figures they can raise fees to cover the deficit. That is in fact what they did. Some 909 new laws were signed by Gray Davis in the last days of his administration. Here's what it looks like unless you do something. Help is at the end of the article.
- Vehicle Registration - Triple increase to last year's fees.
- Increase in fee notifying the government, that you're no longer driving a car.
- Violating dog leash law - $300 increase from $200 to $500
- Basic fishing license - $2 increase from $29.25 to $31.25
- Recycling deposit fee - $7.94 per year increase from $13.23 to $21.17
- New Television/Monitor fee - $6-10 based on size of screen
- Five-year driver's license - $9 increase from $15 to $24
- Filing for divorce - $45 increase
- Filing a lawsuit - $45 to $140 increase
- San Francisco Bridge tolls - $1 increase
- College tuition fee increases - $4,984 per year at UC's; $2,046 at CSU; $18 per unit at Community Colleges.
- Seat belt violation - $20 to $64 increase
- Speeding violation - $20 increase
- Handicap Parking violations - $250 to $1,000 increase
- Increase to skateboarding violations, park restrictions and building codes.
Source: Orange County Register, 10/23/03
What programs has the legislature cut? Education, Megan's Law, Public Health Care. Why not cut the bureaucracy? Why not vote down your pay hikes?
As you can see, no one is immune the the legislatures shenanigans. Why do you and I deserve to pay these fees? We deserve it because we elected these hacks to office. Time to take back the government.
Updates
- 11/2003 - Govenor Schwartzenegger repeals the Car Tax.