Voluntary Tax Contributions Coming

by CalWatchdog Staff | April 5, 2011 1:27 pm

Katy Grimes: For anyone interested in voluntarily paying more in taxes to the state of California, one California Senator wants to make it easy for you to accomplish this noble gesture.

“A measure to close California’s budget deficit,” was presented by Republican Sen. Doug LaMalfa (Richvale) today at the Capitol. “Help Our State Tax” will add another line on California income tax forms so that taxpayers can make an extra voluntary contribution to the state. [1]

LaMalfa said that the provision is not currently on the tax form, and since he hears so many people say that they would give more if asked, he wanted to make it easier to do so.

“Polling shows that many people are clammoring to help,” said LaMalfa. “What could be better than a simple solution?”

Co-author of the bill, Assemblyman Mike Morrell (R-Rancho Cucamonga), said “If the will of the people is that a number of the constituents would like to see the the tax increases, this actually gives the citizens of California more options than our governor is proposing.”

LaMalfa also said that his plan could save the state $90 million by not needing the special elections, which the state does not reimburse counties for.

“This is a solution-oriented part of an overall plan,” LaMalfa said, explaining how a voluntary contribution to the state can help the budget deficit. “Governor Brown made some interesting comments this morning. As I heard it, he said Republicans have gone on strike. That just isn’t the case. We want the governor to come back to the table.”

LaMalfa was asked how much money he expects to raise for the state through the voluntary contribution. He said there was no polling on it yet, but was counting on help from the media to put feelers out for the plan. “We are getting some pretty strong signals that there are people who want to do that. If taxpayers pay what they say they want to pay… about $6 billion. Anything we do is going to be positive,” said LaMalfa. And he said that $6 billion was an estimate.

“Part of problem has been the focus on taxes, and not what is going to make the state great again,” said LaMalfa. “The two-year tax extension was rejected last time, and now we are coming back with a five year tax solution? The tax payers are not willing to be compulsory taxed more.”

“The vibe I am getting from the governor is if we don’t go along with him, it is his way or the highway,” Morrell added.

“The governor will see that taxpayers like the reform ideas we have on the table,” LaMalfa said. “This legislature can get things done at lightening speed when it wants to. Republicans are standing for these solutions because they are good, not because we are being stubborn.”

Should the bill pass, all money voluntarily contributed will go into the state’s general fund.

APRIL 5, 2011

Source URL: https://calwatchdog.com/2011/04/05/voluntary-tax-contributions-coming/

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