Category Archives: California

A List You Don’t Want to Be On

Posted on April 23, 2007 by Russ

There are many ways to catch tax scofflaws. California is trying something new—publicizing the worst offenders. Will shame cause payments? The Board of Equalization collects sales and use tax in California. Under a law passed last year, both the BOE … Continue reading →

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A Tax That’s Typical California

Posted on April 22, 2007 by Russ

California’s legislature has plenty of warped ideas. Now there’s a piece of legislation that would tax big vehicles to subsidize small vehicles. Under the “Clean Car Discount” bill, big vehicles that emit lots of Carbon Dioxide would pay a tax … Continue reading →

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The Legislature Likes New Taxes

Posted on April 10, 2007 by Russ

One of the blogs that I read is the FlashReport, a blog on California’s politics. They’ve alerted me to some of the tax proposals being circulated in the Legislature. Not surprisingly, all are being sponsored by Democrats. Global Warming/Greenhouse Gases … Continue reading →

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A Win for Nguyen

Posted on March 27, 2007 by Russ

Once the judge ruled, this headline was inevitable. After all, Janet Nguyen was up by seven votes (that’s right, 7) over Trung Nguyen. So a Nguyen was going to win. Janet Nguyen was down by seven votes and asked for … Continue reading →

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A No Nguyen Situation

Posted on March 22, 2007 by Russ

When you hear that your vote doesn’t count, well, think again. Here in Orange County, the First Supervisorial District was without a Supervisor since January, when Lou Correa (elected to the State Senate in November) moved up to Sacramento. Ten … Continue reading →

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Whither State Tax Revenues?

Posted on March 18, 2007 by Russ

A very interesting article from Reuters on the possibility of a decline in state tax revenues. Reuters speculates on (1) lower capital gains revenues, in states such as California, and (2) declining real estate values, in other coastal states (such … Continue reading →

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Wal-Mart Fails the Pesticide Tax

Posted on March 9, 2007 by Russ

California has a lot of taxes. One of the taxes that most individuals are not aware of is the pesticide tax. As the DPR notes, “California assesses a fee on all pesticide sales, levied at the point of first sale … Continue reading →

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The FTB Does Something Smart

Posted on March 5, 2007 by Russ

I’ve criticized California’s Franchise Tax Board on several occasions. However, I am going to praise them when they deserve it, and this is one of those times. The FTB, in the past, has assessed late payment penalties when payments on … Continue reading →

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More on Potential Budget Problems

Posted on February 26, 2007 by Russ

The nonparitsan Legislative Analyst’s Office released a report last week which paints a very gloomy picture for California’s finances. Elizabeth Hill, the head of that office, is quoted in the Orange County Register, as saying, “We face a very challenging … Continue reading →

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Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees

Posted on February 13, 2007 by Russ

You know that. I know that. Does our leadership here in the Bronze Golden State know that? Last week I got the chance to read. I was forced to—I was in bed with the flu. A very small blurb in … Continue reading →

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