Saturday, June 26, 2010

Anti-Tax Initiative Qualifies on California Ballot

California taxpayers will be voting on a new anti-tax initiative in November that would make it illegal for lawmakers to approve taxes disguised as fees without a proper vote. According to Mercury News, both the California Taxpayers Association and the California Chamber of Commerce are supporting the initiative.

California's secretary of state certified the initiative Thursday, the ninth to go before voters in November.

The proposition would stop state lawmakers from approving taxes disguised as fees without the constitutionally required two-thirds vote for a tax increase. Passing a fee right now only requires a majority vote of the Legislature.

Supporters say lawmakers try to skirt the high vote threshold required to approve taxes by labeling charges as fees on everyday items such as food and fuel.

The initiative also would require local officials to bring similar fee increases to voters.

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