You’re people that made America great. Appreciate the frankness!

Truth tellers are few in life.

Exhausting reading these sorrowful posts…..enjoy life…..the Democrats will rule another 100 years.

Thank the goose steeping righties who gave us Prop 187…….boxcar loads of immigrants to the border!

The effective state plus local tax burden for California’s highest earners is LOWER than the national average for all income groups.

It is true, though, as I recall, that, comparing just the highest quintile of earners in all states, California’s state/local burden is the highest. Sometimes almost insanely higher.

As a rule, when you see a study showing the “ten states with lowest taxes”, that usually means lowest taxes for the richest residents. In many of those states, lower and middle income pay higher state and local taxes as a percentage of income than they would in “high tax” states.

Another rule, “low tax” states often are net receivers of federal funds.

“Look at us, we don’t tax our residents as much as California does.”

“And we’re more than happy to accept federal money from those that DO tax higher.”

In the coming years, I predict the stately decline of our CA pro sports teams, as landing the top free agents will become more and more difficult. LA (and perhaps SF players) may be somewhat immune to this trend because of more lucrative endorsement opportunities, but San Diego, Oakland and Sacramento teams will not be able to offset this tax disadvantage.

Deferred compensation programs do NOT reduce the tax for the wealthy — they pay full taxes when it is paid out because they are still in the top tax brackets after “retiring.”

I’m always amused when you lefties rail against the selfish greedy rich wanting to avoid taxes, and go on to state that — when it comes to tax rates — the wealthy don’t care about state tax rate differences.

Enough worrying about the rich. I worry about those who struggle every day to feed and clothe their families and pay the utility bills. Those people exist in higher numbers than the rich. Why aren’t we more concerned about the income disparity between the uber-rich and the average citizens?

California’s taxation policies are very reasonable and fair. It does not tax SS income like the feds do and it is very liberal with credits–giving double credits to those over age 65, and blind, etc. CA has a very fair standard deduction for taxpayers and, again, gives a bonus deduction to those over 65. My spouse and I paid a state income tax tab of $1850 for 2014, and our income fell into the lower, middle-class bracket. I think that is a fair amount of taxation for the priviledge of living in this great state and partaking of the public services afforded.

You have millions of exploited, low information, low skilled and young workers in California who cannot afford to house themselves, and you worry about basketball players!!!!!!!

Pitiful

Mr. James’ (or any athlete’s or entertainer’s) salary is pro-rated across the states in which he plays/performs. It’s very complex to keep track of; not something an athlete would do in his or her spare time.

It is the case that Mr. James will end up paying more in state income taxation because he’ll play half his home games in Ohio versus Florida. But the net effect is complicated to estimate; you’d have to compare the two teams’ road schedules.

We civilians, incidentally, should feel thankful that we don’t have to prorate our income taxes based on where we might travel for occasional business trips!