Republicans Reiterate Opposition to Governor’s Tax Extension Plan
At their state convention on Sunday, California Republicans voted to oppose "any tax extension, new taxes or tax increases by the Legislature," even if those measures are linked to spending limits or other GOP-backed reforms, the Sacramento Bee's "Capitol Alert" reports.
That position differed from comments made by some officials at the three-day convention that Gov. Jerry Brown (D) should seriously consider Republican-supported reforms if they are to support placing tax extensions on the ballot before voters (Chang, "Capitol Alert," Sacramento Bee, 3/20).
Background on Tax Issue
In an effort to close the state's $26.6 billion deficit over 18 months, Brown is seeking a June 7 special election to let voters decide whether to temporarily extend personal income, sales and vehicle taxes. The state Legislature remains stalled over the proposal ("AP/KPCC News," KPCC, 3/18). To hold the special election, two Republicans in each chamber would need to vote in favor of it (Gardner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3/19).
Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) said last week he has not ruled out the June special election (Yamamura, Sacramento Bee, 3/20).
Current Status of Budget Work
Last week, lawmakers did agree to make about $14 billion in cuts to health and human services and other programs (San Diego Union-Tribune, 3/19).
Five Senate GOP members involved in budget negotiations with Brown are seeking policy changes that include:
- State spending caps;
- Scaled-back pensions; and
- Less stringent business regulations.
Meanwhile, Democrats have indicated they are exploring other ways to raise taxes. They could seek a simple majority, instead of a two-thirds majority vote, to allow the tax measure to be put before voters (Sacramento Bee, 3/20).
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