A Great State Facing a Great Challenge
By Senator Bill Morrow, 38th Senatorial District
Remember the wise old proverb: Whenever you find yourself at the bottom of a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging. Unfortunately, the California Legislature has never been very good at learning from wise old proverbs.
They think that the solution to the high taxes and overregulation that continues throttling our business climate is . . . more taxes and regulation. It's like a doctor treating a broken arm by beating it with a crowbar.
For example, three "job killer" bills are now moving through the Legislature. Assembly Bill 6 punishes small business owners by proposing tax rates of 10 and 11 percent on personal income taxes for those exceeding a certain salary level. There's nothing quite like driving a stake in the heart of entrepreneurial incentive. AB 9 requires sales taxes to be paid on legal, accounting and a variety of other personal services, targeting specific industries and income earners for any reason that a sane economist can identify.
And Senate Bill 27 proposes to reduce the amount of tax credits permitted to job-creating corporations in any given year, whether they qualify or not. Those held hostage by a zeal to punish "evil corporations" forget that the pain is always passed along to workers and consumers. Combined, these bills propose to increase taxes by more than $6 billion.
I guess the warped logic is: "Yes, it's true that these tax hikes depress the economy and kill jobs, but at least they produce lower revenues to government."
Thank heavens we finally have a governor with some business sense. Should these measures make it through both houses, I expect him to veto all three. I'm trying to hold the line on legislative mischief in Sacramento, but I'm part of a minority in the Legislature. But you can make a difference.
Keep in mind that merely running your business is insufficient. As citizens in a representative republic, you have an obligation to help shape public policy from the grassroots level. Working through your chamber of commerce is a powerful start. But you also should contact and motivate every other friend and relative around the state, educating them on business issues and urging them to contact their state legislators, regardless of party affiliation. Believe me, legislators respond to people power.
There really is time left to reverse field and restore California to its status as the Golden State, the crown jewel worn by the greatest nation in world history. We continue to be the greatest repository of intellectual and financial capital on the planet. Let's join together and use that power. Your retirement years and the future of your kids and grandkids insist on it.
By Senator Bill Morrow, 38th Senatorial District
Remember the wise old proverb: Whenever you find yourself at the bottom of a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging. Unfortunately, the California Legislature has never been very good at learning from wise old proverbs.
They think that the solution to the high taxes and overregulation that continues throttling our business climate is . . . more taxes and regulation. It's like a doctor treating a broken arm by beating it with a crowbar.
For example, three "job killer" bills are now moving through the Legislature. Assembly Bill 6 punishes small business owners by proposing tax rates of 10 and 11 percent on personal income taxes for those exceeding a certain salary level. There's nothing quite like driving a stake in the heart of entrepreneurial incentive. AB 9 requires sales taxes to be paid on legal, accounting and a variety of other personal services, targeting specific industries and income earners for any reason that a sane economist can identify.
And Senate Bill 27 proposes to reduce the amount of tax credits permitted to job-creating corporations in any given year, whether they qualify or not. Those held hostage by a zeal to punish "evil corporations" forget that the pain is always passed along to workers and consumers. Combined, these bills propose to increase taxes by more than $6 billion.
I guess the warped logic is: "Yes, it's true that these tax hikes depress the economy and kill jobs, but at least they produce lower revenues to government."
Thank heavens we finally have a governor with some business sense. Should these measures make it through both houses, I expect him to veto all three. I'm trying to hold the line on legislative mischief in Sacramento, but I'm part of a minority in the Legislature. But you can make a difference.
Keep in mind that merely running your business is insufficient. As citizens in a representative republic, you have an obligation to help shape public policy from the grassroots level. Working through your chamber of commerce is a powerful start. But you also should contact and motivate every other friend and relative around the state, educating them on business issues and urging them to contact their state legislators, regardless of party affiliation. Believe me, legislators respond to people power.
There really is time left to reverse field and restore California to its status as the Golden State, the crown jewel worn by the greatest nation in world history. We continue to be the greatest repository of intellectual and financial capital on the planet. Let's join together and use that power. Your retirement years and the future of your kids and grandkids insist on it.