High-speed rail may sink tax plan

July 6, 2012

UPDATE July 7: The state senate Friday approved the high-speed rail project without a vote to spare, sending the bill to the governor for his signature.

Gov. Jerry Brown’s tax initiative has a lot of support among California voters, but its potential success in November is jeopardized if state lawmakers approve $2.7 billion high speed rail project, according to a new Field Poll.

At least 20 percent of those who now say they are willing to support the Brown tax initiative would not do so if the rail system gets the green light from legislators.

The taxing measure, which would temporarily hike state income taxes for those making more than $250,000 annually, has a current favorable rating of 54 percent, compared to 38 percent opposed.

“These are people who generally agree that the state needs more tax money, but are concerned that if the state has the money for high-speed rail, they have a question as to whether the taxes are really needed,” said Mark DiCamillo, director of the poll.


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Why do we keep voting to buy stuff with borrowed money ? Bankrupt City, folks! Even worse, we think that hacking out a high speed rail corridor through a state filled with environmentalists is a good idea?. So far, all the experts, including state officials have said that the costs will exceed 100 billion and won’t meet the original “high speed” definition as written in the proposition that voters approved. Vote against new taxes and vote to repeal the Brown-doggle train to nowhere.


If it moves, tax it. If it doesn’t move, tax it. If it resists, shoot it.


Until the vanity bullet train project is mothballed, I’m not voting for any new taxes, fees, or whatever else the government wants to call it


That includes tax funding for education.


It is the ultimate “let-them-eat-cake” attitude for our governor and legislature to put their vanity bullet train project at a higher priority than fully funding schools.


You can count me among those 20%. I can’t imagine increasing taxes on anybody as this union boondoggle goes forward. I’m also liking school vouchers, be it a qualifying Christian school, Montessori, Buddhist, just stop wasting money!


As if the threat of increased California taxes aren’t enough:


“IRS will be adding 16,500 new auditors, agents, and other employees to investigate and collect billions in new taxes from Americans.” ~~ House Ways and Means Committee.


There will have to be an additional tax increase just to pay their wages and benefits!


The top five new taxes under Pbamacare care are: 1) 2.3% on medical devices (pacemakers, operating tables, stents, etc.), 2)The medical itemized deduction on your Federal tax return of 7.5% goes to 10% (2.5% increase), 3) Capital gains goes from 15 to 20% (5% increase) and the dividend goes from 15% to 39.6% and the “surtax” on capital tax gains goes from 28.3 to 43.4% (this tax will bring in $128 BILLION out of the taxpayers pockets), 4) a increase in the payroll tax that will bring an additional $86 BILLION out of the taxpayers pockets, and 5) the flexible spending accounts will be capped at $2,500 effecting 25 million families who do the right thing and you this benefit.


But the good news is that if you go to the hospital and get really sick, they will do everything possible to keep you alive so your can keep paying all these new taxes.


Welcome to the world of tax, taxes, taxation. Anyone for a cup of tea!