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Despite record high inflation, surging gas prices, and economists predicting a recession, California Democrats increased the state gas tax by 5.6% on July 1st. And more tax hikes could be coming.
More tax hikes?! Yes, on the November 2022 General Election ballot, there will be several state and local tax increase proposals — one of which is Prop 30.
Prop 30 says it aims to provide funding to “reduce greenhouse gas emissions” with various climate change programs.
But Carl DeMaio, chairman of Reform California, says Prop 30 is just a costly and unfair tax hike that will have absolutely no benefit to combating climate change - but will do irreparable damage to the economy of our state.
“Prop 30 imposes a massive 1.75% income tax increase and then lets state politicians spend that money any way they want to,” says DeMaio.
“When you analyze where the previous climate change funding streams have gone, it ends up in the hands of high-priced consultants, politically-connected insiders, and wasteful programs that have almost no impact on environmental outcomes,” DeMaio notes.
Proponents of the measure say the initiative would create rebate programs to incentivize the purchase of electric vehicles - but the initiative contains numerous loopholes that allows the vast majority of the tax hike to be spent on other purposes.
Even so DeMaio argues that the cost barrier for electric vehicles can be lowered simply by reducing government regulations, rather than raising taxes and creating rebate programs.
“Why are we raising taxes on some Californians so we can give out freebies to other Californians?” DeMaio asks. “Most Californians are struggling right now just to pay the rent and buy food so the last thing they are thinking about is putting up $100,000 for an electric car on the promise that they will get a small subsidy from the government,” DeMaio argues.
Reform California has put together what DeMaio calls a “Plain English” annual voter guide which cuts through the confusing ballot language and clutter and explains your ballot in simple terms. The organization has analyzed Prop 30 and issued the following assessment.
Prop 30
Official Title: Provides Funding for Programs to Reduce Air Pollution And Prevent Wildfires by Increasing Tax on Personal Income Over $2 Million.
Plain English Translation: TAX INCREASE — Increases Income Taxes to Fund a Variety of New Government Programs
Prop 30 is a massive income tax increase — even though California already has the highest income taxes in the country of any state. Prop 30 imposes a 1.75% tax increase for personal incomes over $2 million. Revenue for the proposition aims to go toward climate change measures, but the definition of programs eligible for these new funds is quite broad as to allow the funds to be used in a wide-range of ways.
DeMaio and Reform California recommend a “NO” vote on Prop 30.
In addition to urging the public to vote “NO” on Prop 30, DeMaio is supporting reform-minded candidates in key target seats in 2022 that will fight back against tax hikes.
“We can stop these tax hikes in their tracks — we just need candidates willing to do it,” says DeMaio. “That’s why we need your help today to elect these candidates in 2022,” he concluded.
Join the Fight: Flip Target Seats
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