Posted by Tina
Our lawmakers have a trick for you this Halloween. Starting Sunday 10% more will be withheld from paychecks to cover the states $1.7 billion shortfall in the budget. They say it isn't a tax increase, it's just an interest free loan that we will recover in April when we file our taxes. Gee thanks guys, we all feel much better now.
The provision is one of numerous maneuvers state lawmakers and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger approved in the summer to paper over the state's deficit. Many of the changes, including the extra withholding, were little noticed outside of Sacramento. ** Savvy taxpayers can get around the state's maneuver by increasing the number of personal withholding allowances they claim on their employer tax forms, said Brenda Voet, a spokeswoman for the state's Franchise Tax Board. ** "People can get out of this," she said, noting that most people would have to change their allowances through their employers. California's budget leaders are banking on the hope that most won't. (emphasis mine)
But wait...isn't this the same state government that continues to hire new workers and expand government even as the state's population declines? Something is wrong with this picture...
"California: The Size of Government," by Teresa Trujillo - Red County
...the size of California's state government has doubled since 1990. The population hasn't doubled. The service level of the state hasn't significantly improved ** the state revenue increased 40% in the last 5 years. Yet, the deficit continued to grow because the legislature hasn't met it's fiduciary responsibilities to the public. They have refused to live within their means. ** There are 75,000 more state employees today than there were in the 1990-1991 budget year. This represents a 28% increase in the actual number of state employees. The University of California system has a 46% increase in the number of employees. ** These figures do not calculate teachers and employees of local agencies--all sectors that have swelled in the last few years.
Even as it cuts the pay for state workers?
February 27, 2009- "Furlough paychecks hit employees today"
Today the first furlough paychecks went out to state workers, and today, for many, it's the first time that the notion of taking home nearly 10 percent less pay became real. Phone calls we've received from state workers reflect the range of emotion that they're feeling. Some are angry. Others are resigned. One person started to cry. And then there are the e-mails. Some samples: 'Jon, In case you're curious, we've been getting our paychecks today and it's not pretty. My check, as an Office Assistant (Typist), was $150 less take home than it used to be. My mother, an Assistant Information Systems Analyst, had her take home drop by $300. We will salute the governor with our Top Ramen meals for the next seventeen months.'" - Jon Ortiz - State Worker Blog, Sacramento Bee
And issues IOU's to contractors to cover shortfalls?
"Big banks stop cashing California IOUs," by Tami Luhby, CNNMoney.com senior writer
Californians have fewer places to redeem IOUs issued by the cash-strapped state. ** At least three major banks, Wells Fargo (WFC, Fortune 500), JPMorgan Chase (JPM, Fortune 500) and Bank of America (BAC, Fortune 500), stopped accepting the IOUs after Friday. ** More than 60 credit unions, however, continue to accept the paper. ** State Controller John Chiang started issuing the IOUs on July 2 to conserve cash, while lawmakers and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger tussle over closing a $26 billion budget gap. Friday also marked the start of a mandatory third furlough day for most state employees. ** The state, the world's eighth largest economy, has issued more than 90,000 IOUs worth nearly $355 million. Also called registered warrants, the IOUs pay an interest rate of 3.75% and can be redeemed on Oct. 2 or earlier if divided state officials reach a budget deal. ** Recipients will include state contractors, social service agencies and those owed income tax refunds.
And keeps insisting that more money is needed for education:
"California, a Failed State," by Alan Aronoff - American Thinker
California's budget for K-12 education was 42.1B in 2007/2008 up from the 2002/2203 budget of $28.8B. This is an increase of 46% during the period of time that inflation as measured by the CPI grew by 12.7%. During the period from 2002 to 2005 (sorry, the CA Dept of Education has not posted K-12 statistics more recently than 2005), the California K-12 population has risen 1%. If the increased education spending were limited to inflation + increase in student population, over $8B could have been saved.
Where is that money going? Not to classrooms or sports and art programs! Money mismanagement has been the problem not lack of funds. Now the problem is exacerbated by a shrinking economy.
We all know California is broken. Our lawmakers are not only irresponsible and incompetent...they are shameless in their unwillingness to look for causes as well as solutions as they continue down the same warn path they have trod for decades. Does it occur to our lawmakers that the progressive model is flawed? Progressive tax laws have progressed to the point of being top heavy. They punish those with the resources, skills, knowledge and creativity to cause economic strength and economic strength is the foundational requirement for job growth and healthy state revenues. Yet the model favored by big government progressives remains one that inevitably overburdens the producers. Many of those producers have left or plan to leave the state, moving on to friendlier pastures. Meanwhile state sponsored programs, like education, have also grown to become top heavy with bloated bureaucratic layers of unnecessary staff sucking up education revenue that should be getting to local schools and our kids. Liberal ideas result in big government complexity that kills the dreams of all Californians...including our kids.
This citizen is tired of BIG government tricks! It's time for a brand new model of bare bones efficiency at the top and fiscal responsibility top to bottom. Now that would be a welcome treat.
Time to break out the pitchforks, tar, and feathers. I have a pitchfork and some tar, anyone have a few feather pillows.
The state is withholding 10% more than usual, not "10% Less in Our Paychecks". However, every Californian should still refile their DE 4 forms to have less withheld. You never want to get a tax refund, doubly so with the way California's government has a hard time returning tax overpayments.
http://www.edd.ca.gov/pdf_pub_ctr/de4.pdf
Billy...I wouldn't sleep on anything else and I imagine there are a few farmers and chicken ranches that would love to "pitch in"...lol.
Karl thanks for the clarification and the link.
The important thing is that people know they have the option to change their W-4 with their employer (before the next pay date) if they don't wish to participate in this sneaky, interest free loan trick.
Consult with your tax advisor if you feel the need.
Q: How Many Agencies Does California Actually Have?
A: Approaching 500 - see link:
http://www.kgoradio.com/Article.asp?id=1429462&nId=4&spid=33179
Two of the most aggregiously expensive are the Air Resources Board with an annual budget of $850 Million and the Integrated Waste Management Board with an annual budget of $250 Million.
So . . . . . .
Which incumbents will you supporting next year?
Chutzpah is defined as being the cause of the problem that you keep bitching about--like the kid that murders his parents and says you can't execute him cuz he's an orphan!
(I don't know what to call the drivel you will respond with . . . . churlishness?)
"Chutzpah is defined as being the cause of the problem that you keep bitching about"
Actually that would be responsibility. Chutzpah is defined as supreme self-confidence, nerve or gall. You boys have a gender specific equivilent that also will do nicely.
Interesting that you think being "cause" would result in having things turn out as you expect...like a puppetmaster holding and manipulating strings. Sometimes we get to participate and be responsible (the cause) for things that turn out pretty badly. I am responsible for the fact that Obama got elected. I am the cause. Now I get a chance to play again. Every day is a new day.
If you don't like my form of self-expression, criticism and dissent (you call it bitching) you don't have to read or respond but your comments are welcome if you choose to continue. It is always entertaining to hear from you. I keep hoping you might actually treat us to something real.
I will be voting for whomever I believe is the best person for the job...we only get the choices we get. I see no sense in voting for the "other" guy if he has no reasonable chance of winning or worse, if my vote would mean the opposition is more likely to win and they can then continue to advance the marxist/fascist agenda that is killing California. I would happily vote for an any person that has a fair shot at winning and offers a strong alternative to the mess in Sacramento.
I agree it's a very nice thought...voting all of the incumbants out. I don't see it happening unless we coulod pass a referendum that gives us the choice to do so when we are fed up with the entire body. (Like they have in Japan) Democrats would never go along with the idea (or with voting out incumbants) so we soldier on. I have always believed that the important battle is out here. An informed, engaged and dedicated voting populace is what is needed. We need voters that appreciate and embrace freedom, supported by the rule of law, and personal responsibility.
Churlish: 1 : of or like a churl : having the position or rank of a churl : RUSTIC, VULGAR, MEAN
2 : characteristic of or befitting a churl : BASE, RUDE, ILL-BRED : lacking refinement or higher feelings
3 : difficult to work with or deal with : UNMANAGEABLE, UNYIELDING, INTRACTABLE
You decide...you always do.
Tina?
You never disappoint!
You should be a politician with all that BS you spew. Or head of the local TEA baggers.
You will vote for Wally
You will vote for Logue.
You will vote a straight Republican ticket.
Those earmarks that outrage you?
Won't matter when you vote for Wally.
Deficits?
Who cares when they're Republican?!
Those state regulations you don't like?
You'll ignore those as you are voting for one of the parties responsible for them.
PARTISANSHIP is the problem.
YOU are a partisan.
YOU are the problem.
YOU are the reason Obama was elected.
YOU didn't do anything but parrot the corporate MSM line. As the MSM and corporations wanted Obama in, guess what? That means YOU, by playing their game, aided and abetted THEM in their goal of screwing-over YOU.
Frankly, I don't give a damn if you want to destroy YOUR life, But I take it personally that you have ****ed up mine!!
"PARTISANSHIP is the problem. ** YOU are a partisan. ** YOU are the problem."
OK.
Now...YOU be responsible and tell me how successful YOU have been in selling (persuading) an alternative? How many people have you been able to convince to vote for an alternative candidate? How successful have you been in increasing support for an alternative platform?
So far YOU can't deliver more than a small percentage of the voting public. Tell me what the advantage would be in adding my one vote to such a pathetic showing. IF voting alternative candidates is such a good deal tell me why...make your case! Demonstrate that they will be better at governing than others.
In fact...what is the alternative YOU support? Are you for higher taxes or not? Are you for health care or not?
"Those earmarks that outrage you? ** Won't matter when you vote for Wally."
Wally's voting record is over 95% conservative, why wouldn't I vote for him? He does what he can. No representative has control over what is written into legislation or can change the propensity to add earmarks all by himself. The real problem is out here. People calling on government to give trhem things. If more of us were persuaded to be self sufficient politicians would have less incentive to buy votes by promising goodies. That is the real point in complaining about earmarks.
"Deficits? ** Who cares when they're Republican?!"
Nice try. Deficit spending did go up under GWB right after 911 and the war. BUT they were also trending down until Democrats took control of Congress despite 911 and the war. Republicans were spending more wisely. They have been reminded that the platform they espouse is the platform they must follow if they expect to be returned to power. That platform is one of smaller government, responsible spending, regulation that supports business and a vibrant economy (jobs jobs jobs), smart energy policy, and smart health care, social security and Medicare fixes.
"Frankly, I don't give a damn if you want to destroy YOUR life, But I take it personally that you have ****ed up mine!!"
Now there's a responsible person! I'm flattered that you think I have more power than you. I'm flattered that you think I have that much sway over the public. Obama and individual jerks in corporate America have done a lot of damage...I agree. I don't support them! I support all of the corporations that are responsible for creating jobs...not the jerks or Obama. They have, and are, messing up the country and both of our lives.
Have a nice day Q.