Why californians didn't start a proposition to abolish state income tax? (Sacramento: assessor, home)

[blam]

Why californians didn't start a proposition to abolish state income tax? Seems like it would overwhelmingly win. Is it something that is not allowed to be voted on using the propositions system?

[Bert_from_back_East]

Outside of Orange County, many high-income professionals in California are so far to the left that they actually support the current state income tax structure - as ludicrous as it sounds.

Recently, Californians overwhelmingly approved a 12-year extenuation to the current state income tax rates for taxpayers earning in excess of $250k annually (Proposition 55) to "fund education and healthcare."

Obviously, high-income voters (i.e., voters earning >$100k annually) supported this proposition because, after all, most poor people don't vote.

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by Bert_from_back_East

Outside of Orange County, many high-income professionals in California are so far to the left that they actually support the current state income tax structure - as ludicrous as it sounds.

Recently, Californians overwhelmingly approved a 12-year extenuation to the current state income tax rates for taxpayers earning in excess of $250k annually (Proposition 55) to "fund education and healthcare."

Obviously, high-income voters (i.e., voters earning >$100k annually) supported this proposition because, after all, most poor people don't vote.

There are not enough hi income voters to make q difference. The Rich like it because it makes it harder for others to become rich and the poor like it since they do not pay it. The Middle class gets the shaft.

[V8 Vega]

Idiot Democrats passed every tax raising measure on the last ballot. Its beyond my comprehension why anyone would vote for a tax increase but they do.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by blam

Why californians didn't start a proposition to abolish state income tax? Seems like it would overwhelmingly win. Is it something that is not allowed to be voted on using the propositions system?

Because they're not idiots. The state budget struggles as it is. Prop 13 really did some damage. Eliminating the income tax would be a similar train wreck to Prop 13, if not worse.

[bentobox34]

Originally Posted by Bert_from_back_East

Recently, Californians overwhelmingly approved a 12-year extenuation to the current state income tax rates for taxpayers earning in excess of $250k annually (Proposition 55) to "fund education and healthcare."

Obviously, high-income voters (i.e., voters earning >$100k annually) supported this proposition because, after all, most poor people don't vote.

Yeah I was one of those people (earn over 100k, voted "yes" on Prop 55). Even though my income is "high" (According to you), there is a near-zero chance it will ever reach $250k. If it does, I'll be happy to chip in a bit more.

100k is not "high" in California. In the coastal metros it is just a basic middle class income.

Only about 4% of Californians earn higher than 250k, while about 12% (three times as many) earn between 100k and 250k. Why would it surprise you that these groups' interests don't align?

[bentobox34]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

Because they're not idiots. The state budget struggles as it is. Prop 13 really did some damage. Eliminating the income tax would be a similar train wreck to Prop 13, if not worse.

If someone were to propose cutting/eliminating state income taxes and balancing it out by restoring property taxes to where they would be without Prop 13, they'd have my ear.

[Ultrarunner]

Pre Prop 13 was a tumultuous time in California in the 70's...

Double Digit Property Tax Increases... Fraud and Corruption in the Assessor Offices resulting in Prison and even Suicide for sweetheart deals given to those of power and influence plus the staff required to constantly monitor values.

California had a chance to stave off Prop 13... it was as simple as indexing the Home Owner Exemption for inflation so that it would be meaningful... Sacramento left it to the voters and at the last minute came out with a competing measure...

Prop 13 is real and applies to all assessable property in the State... no matter if you bought 30 years ago or yesterday... the protections and formula is the same.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by blam

Why californians didn't start a proposition to abolish state income tax? Seems like it would overwhelmingly win. Is it something that is not allowed to be voted on using the propositions system?

California's Democrat/liberal legislature/government has never seen a cent of the peoples' money it didn't want and couldn't spend, especially on others. That's why.

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by Ultrarunner

Pre Prop 13 was a tumultuous time in California in the 70's...

Double Digit Property Tax Increases... Fraud and Corruption in the Assessor Offices resulting in Prison and even Suicide for sweetheart deals given to those of power and influence plus the staff required to constantly monitor values.

California had a chance to stave off Prop 13... it was as simple as indexing the Home Owner Exemption for inflation so that it would be meaningful... Sacramento left it to the voters and at the last minute came out with a competing measure...

Prop 13 is real and applies to all assessable property in the State... no matter if you bought 30 years ago or yesterday... the protections and formula is the same.

Prop 13 was and is a good law. CA is not the only State with such a law on the books. It works and has nothing to do with cost of a home or taxes as even FL has a limit and no State income tax. One of the better laws and ................ it did not come from the politicians.