Prop 30: Yes (Prop 38: No)

These are the competing tax increases on the ballot.  Both direct the money at California schools.  It’s VERY IMPORTANT to vote “NO” on 38 so that “Yes” on 30 will go into effect.

Prop 30 increases sales tax ¼% for everyone for 4 years and increases State Income Taxes for the top 1% of earners (individuals making more than $250,000/year, Families making more than $500,000) for 7 years. If Prop 30 does not pass it will trigger a $6 billion cut to already struggling K-12 and community colleges.

Prop 38 is the brain baby of billionaire heiress Molly Munger and is almost entirely funded by her.  It would increase State Income Tax for everyone earning over $7,000/year to fund a very complex and specific set of expenditures designated by her.  Molly Munger is a Legislature all unto herself.  I think this is very rich woman who doesn’t want her social class to pick up as much of the tab as they would have to with Prop 30.  Or perhaps she hopes to confuse the issue so much that neither measure passes.

Anyone who has kids in public school in California knows that our school funding has been cut relentlessly for years.  Parents make up shortfalls with endless fund raising, teachers pay for supplies out of their own pockets.  Students get stuck in Community College for years trying to get enough classes to graduate or move on to a 4-year school.  It’s a mess.  If Prop 30 fails it will get worse by $6 billion.

Increasing taxes on the wealthiest Californians is a plan that “Class War Games” supports wholeheartedly.  Currently there are 6 tax brackets for incomes under $65,000/year.  Every dollar over $65,000 is taxed at the same rate whether you make $65,001/year or $10 million.  Prop 30 would create 3 new brackets for 1) the remarkably rich, 2) the unbelievably rich and 3) the holy sh*t! rich.

This tax increase cannot be passed by the Legislature because back in 1978 Prop13 instituted minority rule on taxation by requiring a 2/3 super majority vote to increase taxes.  Until we fix this, tax increases can only realistically get passed through ballot initiatives.

Prop 30 is the most important vote on the California Ballot so let’s get it done!