OJE has been coordinating a Bay Area coalition against unreasonable and continuous tax increases in California.In May of 2009, we urged California voters to vote no on Proposition 1A and yes on 1F. If passed, 1A would have led to more unreasonable tax increases in California hurting our economic recovery while 1F would lead to the restriction of pay increases of top California officials in economically bad times. Our side had an almost landslide victory in both of these measures, with well over 60% voters voted no on 1A and over 70% of them voted yes on 1F.
Our coalition, as most voters do, believes that the problem of California is the outrageous and irresponsible spending, increasing the state general budget from 70 billion to over 100 billion in just 5 years. The legislators should scrutinize the newly added spending rather than taking away funds from the groups and people with weaker political power, certainly not to raise tax since Californians already have the heaviest tax burden in the whole country. Raising tax will lead to less consumption and investment, creating a vicious cycle, hurting the economic recovery, and leading California to the wrong direction.
We encourage Californians to stay alert on this issue and urge the Governor and lawmakers to understand the real problem and take us to the right direction. Attached is our press release.
Taxpayers’ Coalition May 2009 Statement