Author Archives: Russ

Proposition 22: Transportation Funding

Posted on October 27, 2010 by Russ

Proposition 22 on the California ballot would prohibit the raiding of transportation funding for anything. The measure, if approved, would stop the practice of the legislature of using transportation funds (including the gasoline tax) to fund anything and everything else. … Continue reading →

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Proposition 21: State Parks Vehicle License Surcharge

Posted on October 27, 2010 by Russ

Proposition 21 on the California ballot would add an $18 fee (err, tax) to vehicle license renewals to fund state parks. Shockingly, the California State Park Rangers Association is for the measure. The measure would help to fund the park … Continue reading →

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Proposition 20: Congressional Redistricting & Proposition 27

Posted on October 26, 2010 by Russ

Proposition 20 on the California ballot would take redistricting of Congressional districts out of the hands of the state legislature and give it to the Redistricting Commission. That commission was formed as a result of Proposition 11 on the 2008 … Continue reading →

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Proposition 19: Marijuana “Legalization”

Posted on October 26, 2010 by Russ

It’s time to begin our analysis of the ballot propositions that Californians will face in one week. There’s a lot on the ballot, and several of the measures have a direct impact on taxes. Let’s start with Proposition 19. This … Continue reading →

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Watching Paint Dry

Posted on October 25, 2010 by Russ

I will have the opportunity over the coming week to watch paint dry…literally. My office is being painted this week, so posting will be limited. I have already written posts on the ballot initiatives on the California ballot (these will … Continue reading →

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Shock! Government Agencies in California Forced to Lay Off Employees

Posted on October 25, 2010 by Russ

The Los Angeles Times has a story today on how government agencies in California have been forced to lay off workers. The Times calls the cuts “ravaging.” I’d call them necessary and the tip of the iceberg. There’s a basic … Continue reading →

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It Was Only $12 Million and You Seized it Five Years Ago, So Now You’re Filing Charges?

Posted on October 18, 2010 by Russ

One of my first ever blog posts (back in 2005) was short and succinct: “Cops Moonlighting as Strip Club Bouncers Charged with Tax Fraud.” Back in April, 2005, Michael Wellek, the owner of an Elk Grove Village (Illinois) strip club … Continue reading →

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Uh Oh: Instead of My Tax Refund All I Got Was This Piece of Paper…

Posted on October 18, 2010 by Russ

California is short of money, so according to Spidell, all California tax refunds have been suspended. The suspension is due to “cash flow difficulties.” California does have a budget so, in theory, refunds should resume soon. Of course, that depends … Continue reading →

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You Can Possibly Help Eliminate the Draconian FBAR Penalties

Posted on October 14, 2010 by Russ

Phil Hodgen, a tax attorney in Pasadena, has been approached by a reporter who is working on a story dealing with the draconian nature of FBAR penalties. From Phil’s post: A certain large American publication is working on a story … Continue reading →

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Brother, Can You Spare $30 Billion?

Posted on October 11, 2010 by Russ

The analysis is out and California has another Bad Budget™. Let’s see what’s in this “Let’s Defer to Tomorrow What We Don’t Want to Address Today” piece of cheese: The budget assumes $5.4 billion in federal funds.  That seems fine … Continue reading →

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