Sep 13 2011
Anti-tax Group Thwarts Governor Brown’s Tax Reform
When California Governor Jerry Brown needed to drum up last-minute support among Republican state Senators for his California First Jobs Plan, he didn’t call a meeting with the reticent elected officials. Instead, Governor Brown had a sit-down talk with the President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, named after the man who authored proposition 13. Writing for the LA Times George Skelton reports the Governor’s tax reforms were generally favored by state Senators from the conservative party, but they wouldn’t approve the bill until the powerful Association gave its blessing. Despite Brown’s best efforts, Jon Coupal, President of the HJTA, wouldn’t give conservatives an OK to vote yes. The bill died in the Senate right before the close of the session. Coupal, explained he didn’t have enough time to review the legislation’s details before a vote, to, “scrub it pretty carefully.” Also opposing Brown’s reforms was the tobacco lobby. Cigarette companies stood to lose money if current corporate tax loopholes were closed. The California First Jobs Plan was heavy on tax reform that would end tax cuts for businesses that do not build and create jobs within the state.
GUEST: Brian Leubitz, Founder and Editor of Calitics.com and political consultant
Read more at www.calitics.com.
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