NO to Temporary Sales Tax Increase in California *

On November 5th, 1989 the California Legislature passed a TEMPORARY increase in the state’s sales tax by a quarter of one percent, which was approved by California Governor George Deukmejian, who was against raising taxes as the foundation of his administration.

This TEMPORARY sales tax increase was targeted for earthquake damage repairs and relief to victims of the San Francisco earthquake, and was intended to run from December 1st, 1989 until December 31st, 1990.

With an estimated $800 million to be generated by this TEMPORARY sales tax increase; the money was earmarked for highways and government buildings, with $200,000 going to families of victims killed by the collapse of Interstate 880 in Oakland, and a section of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.

The majority of taxpayers did not oppose the TEMPORARY sales tax increase, as the money was going to aid those most affected by the massive earthquake, but today August 24th, 2008 we are still paying this TEMPORARY sales tax, as the tax was never repealed by the California Legislators.

California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, has indicated he needs to impose another TEMPORARY sales tax increase upon California taxpayers for three years, which I oppose and believe will not be temporary at all.

A full one percent TEMPORARY sales tax increase would do additional damage to the California economy, which the Governor and Legislators seem to be oblivious to, already suffering from a recession.

The State of California needs to run itself like a business, this means downsizing and cutting costs, not imposing additional taxes on the people it’s meant to serve.

CONTACT THE GOVERNOR

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-2841
Fax: 916-558-3160

*UPDATE 9:05 p.m. The Los Angeles Times just published a story regarding the sales tax increase by George Skelton