In a little noticed report from the AP, Proposition 29, the Tobacco Tax initiative has narrowly been defeated. Although anticipated, this is the first news announcement I have seen on the issue.
With about 5 million ballots cast, opponents of Proposition 29 led by about 28,000 votes. The Associated Press analyzed areas where the roughly 105,000 uncounted votes remain and determined Friday there were not enough places where “yes” was winning to overcome the deficit.
Noted doping suspect, Lance Armstrong, was a key supporter.
If a tobacco tax that only effects 12% of California adults can’t pass, Jerry Brown’s taxes on the ballot in November are in for a tough time. Because his measure includes a 1/4 per cent sales tax increase, it will affect everyone, not just the families making over $250,000 per year. Given the Democratic control of the re-districting process and lack of competitive seats, I predict that defeating this tax will be a key priority for tea party types this fall.
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WOW – this is significant, even the people who don’t pay income tax are tired of paying taxes, but then again, such a low turn out that this may not mean what I think it means…November will be key (CA and countrywide).
This is the EIGHTH straight defeat of such statewide tax increase proposals put before the voters. Any could have passed with a SIMPLE MAJORITY vote. Six failed by double digits.
We’ve got a good chance of defeating the THREE November tax increases on the state ballot. From my standpoint, three is BETTER than one, as many will just vote against all of ’em.
The issue is beyond cigarettes. It is about government confiscating more and more hard earned money. This tax would have just ended up in the Marxist redistribution toilet with much of the state’s general funds. It would not go to research, or eductation, or blah blah blah. Keep your fingers crossed for November. Maybe Jurassic Jerry will have to cut CalWorks, MediCal, and hundreds of other wasteful, failed programs!
Burbank, the key is not so much cutting programs (and many SHOULD be cut), as changing the DELIVERY method of such programs. Controlling labor costs is at the top of the list — by far.
But better than “quibbling” over $500+ billion pension shortfalls, absurdly early government retirement ages, above market salaries and lack of government worker performance requirements, the better solution often is to properly contract out such services to competitively bid private contracts.
For starters, contract out most of the prisons, parks and “public” education (via vouchers or tax credits). The added benefit would be the gutting of the public employee labor unions which now own and operate state and most local governments.
-“The taxpayer revolution has arrived.”