Proposition Petitions to Be Circulated For Initiative Eliminating Calif Income and Property Taxes for Residents Over 55 (sales, 2010)

[FresnoFacts]

The petition collectors in front of stores just gained some new potential ballot propositions to keep them busy.

The Secretary of State announced today that petitions can be circulated for a new ballot proposition eliminating both the state income tax and property taxes for any Californian over 55 years of age. It would also prohibit the state levying an estate tax.

The proponents need to collect 694,354 signatures from California registered voters in the next 150 days, basically before April 23, 2010.

If it collects enough signatures it would be placed on the November 2010 ballot. More info here
http://www.sos.ca.gov/admin/press-re...9/db09-074.pdf

The same person proposing this has also received state permission to collect signatures on 2 other proposition proposals.

One would prohibit using income, sales or property taxes to fund public schools and colleges.
http://www.sos.ca.gov/admin/press-re...9/db09-075.pdf

The other would prohibit state or local government and the schools themselves from establishing curriculum. It would make parents the sole authority on what is taught to their children.
http://www.sos.ca.gov/admin/press-re...9/db09-076.pdf

[AnUnidentifiedMale]

Incredible. I wonder how likely it is that these measures could pass.

California is such an interesting place.

[jbunniii]

Translation: "I should be able to retire in California for free while everyone else works to support me!"

[native56]

Support you? How do they suppot you? Tanslate what you mean into "it bugs me that I have to let the state government screw me over while they get away free". They say that envy is the most powerful human emotion.

[CAVA1990]

My translation: Young people, run for the border! Come to Virginia where our taxes our low, the pay is high, jobs for you are interesting and plentiful, and where your future is bright. Leave the old farts behind to sink into fiscal oblivion in their giant retirement community. In my opinion we should tax old people more and if they whine, put them out on icebergs for the polar bears.

[Waterlily]

California right now is a young state. If they managed to pass that into law then California would be a good place for retirees to move to. Right now many retored people move out of California. It's something to consider. Some older people bring money with them when they retire.

[jbunniii]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

In my opinion we should tax old people more and if they whine, put them out on icebergs for the polar bears.

The "Greatest Generation" begat the "Greediest Generation."

[EscapeCalifornia]

55 years old!?!?!? Most people are in their highest earning years at that point. Raise that age to at least 70 and maybe it would make some sense. Is this backed by all the government workers who retire at age 55 and make 70% of their highest salary for life + COLAs?

[Ceece]

Crazy. It's true that anyone can try to put anything on a ballot. I especially love the "parents decide" initiative. I can only imagine how THAT would work when the PTA get's in fights over petty issues all the time.

[NewToCA]

As someone over 55 myself, I wouldn't support the proposal.

I know quite a few states don't have income taxes on pensions, to try and keep the older folks in the state. They use a bit less services, especially schools, so it is pretty cost beneficial to keep old timers around. States that have income taxes, but exclude pensions, are:

Pennsylvania

New York

Alabama

Illinois

Hawaii

Kansas

Massachusetts

Michigan

Mississippi

Louisiana