Senator George Runner
Serving the 17th District which incorporates portions of the Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura and Kern counties.

In an effort to finally solve the state budget deficit (side note: The governor offered a budget proposal in May with which the Republicans mostly agree), Legislative Democrats proposed a few ideas this week that included spending reductions, a starry-eyed notion that the federal government will pony up $4 billion, and a complicated tax proposal that doesn’t amount to anything more than fuzzy math.

The Governor says the plan is "dead on arrival," while Republicans call the scheme a "smoke and mirrors" attempt to hide the fact that California families will pay additional taxes.

Specifically, their plan would reduce sales taxes and juggle the income tax rates, raising all but the top and bottom tax brackets by a full one percent. What’s the predictable end result? Low- and middle-income Californians will pay $8 billion in additional income taxes.

The rationale is that higher state income taxes and vehicle license fees can be deducted on federal returns; however, a majority of Californians won’t receive refunds because 60 percent of tax filers don’t itemize deductions.

According to the Sacramento Bee, Michael Cohen, deputy legislative analyst with the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office, said "...it was clear that some households would fare better and some worse, but his office is still reviewing the proposal."

Let’s not forget the California Legislature raised taxes last year to the tune of $12 billion. It didn’t work, as the 2009-10 revenues have been on a downward spiral. Thus, raising taxes is a proven failure.

Supporting small business owners (the biggest job creators in California) is the confirmed method of stimulating the economy. But nowhere in this recent plan is there a course of action to help our beleaguered work force.