Judge Upholds Prop B for Pension Reform

Press release from Carl DeMaio:

I have GREAT news to share!

Moments ago Judge Vargas DENIED the government labor unions’ legal challenge to Prop B – Pension Reform.   

   

The court has rejected a “Restraining Order” that would have prevented the Mayor and City Council from proceeding forward with Prop B.  

   

Here's the brief statement I released upon hearing the news:  

“Today San Diego citizens scored a big win for Pension Reform! Judge Vargas’ decision clears the way for the City to respect the mandate of 66% of San Diego voters who approved Prop B’s pension reforms.

However, even with today’s positive court decision, it will take a Mayor who is genuinely committed to the timely implementation of Pension Reforms – Bob Filner has fought against pension reform every step of the way.”  

Today's victory is the result of thousands of San Diegans who worked together to qualify and pass Prop B.  

We are not out of the woods yet.  

The government labor unions will surely continue their efforts to invalidate this historic election and block real pension reform.  

Bob Filner is the biggest ally the government employee unions have in their war on pension reform.  That's exactly why Pension Reform will remain the centerpiece of my campaign for Mayor -- and the focus of my first months in office.

Please forward this note to your friend and neighbors!  And encourage them to join our campaign today by visiting www.CarlDeMaio.com

In service,

Carl DeMaio 

Ellis Calls on Lightner to Debate in District 1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 26, 2012
CONTACT: Matthew Donnellan, at www.RayEllisForCouncil.com

Ellis Calls on Lightner to Debate in District 1

Ellis Says Public Deserves More than Delays and Excuses from Elected Leaders

Businessman Ray Ellis, who finished in first place in the June Election a head of incumbent politician Sherri Lightner, has reiterated his call for his opponent to join him in participating in a series of public debates.

“Ms. Lightner has consistently declined requests by journalists and the media, civic associations, and student groups for a public discussion on the issues. Taxpayers deserve more respect,” said Ellis. “I offered Ms. Lightner an opportunity to debate where she would pick the time, the location, the moderator, and the questions, yet she still refused. This sort of blatant disregard for the public is exactly why voters in District 1 are so frustrated with our current Councilmember.”

Lightner refused to engage in any debates before the Primary, and only appeared in public with Ellis twice, once for a forum in La Jolla and once for a KPBS radio interview. Ellis finished 4 points a head of Lightner in the June Primary.

The Student Organized Voter Access Committee, a non-partisan student-led group at UCSD whose mission is to register voters and increase youth involvement in civic issues, was one group that saw Lightner's dodge tactics firsthand. “After much discussion with the Lightner campaign, they have rejected the debate idea but have agreed to do a meet and greet format as an alternative,” said Tyler Sheets, of SOVAC, in an April e-mail.

Nearly a month later, with no event scheduled, Sheets added “at this point, it looks like the Lightner campaign is stalling on their confirmation. Since the deadline to register is quickly approaching, we are interpreting their delay as an unwillingness to attend an event we would host. While we were looking forward to increasing our student population’s awareness of the city council election, it appears we will not be able to host an event with just your campaign due to our commitment to non-partisanship.”

Ray Ellis is running for San Diego City Council in District 1 so that he can restore the trust and confidence of taxpayers in their City Council. Ellis is a philanthropist, businessman, husband and father of three. He and his wife, Gina, live in Carmel Valley with their 10-year-old son, Jake. He also has a 27-year-old son, Matt, and a 22-year-old daughter, Jessica. Ray received his MBA from Pepperdine University. To learn more about Ray and his campaign for City Council please visit www.RayEllisForCouncil.com.

FORMER DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIR JOINS DEMAIO FOR MAYOR TEAM

From the Carl DeMaio Campaign HQ

Art Castañares, long time Democrat political consultant and former Chairman of the San Diego County Democratic Party, has joined the Carl DeMaio for Mayor campaign. Castañares will provide strategic advice on communications and coalition outreach.

“I believe Carl DeMaio is the right person to be San Diego’s next Mayor,” said Castañares.  “While there are things Carl and I see differently, Carl has the right leadership abilities and vision for the future of San Diego. Every San Diegan wants a City government that provides the important services we deserve and a thriving local economy. I look forward to helping Carl deliver that message to communities throughout San Diego who may not have heard his message before.”

“My Administration will reflect all San Diegans – regardless of party affiliation, community or socio-economic background,” said DeMaio. “That’s why I’m thrilled to be working with Art on this campaign. He is a talented and dedicated civic leader who cares deeply about the future of our city and his support and advice will be invaluable to our team.”

A native San Diegan, Castañares has worked on dozens of city council, mayoral, state legislative, gubernatorial, and federal campaigns since 1990, including campaigns for Bill Clinton, Gray Davis, and Al Gore, has been a delegate to state Democratic Party conventions, and was a delegate to the 2000 Democratic National Convention. Castañares also served as staff to the California State Legislature for more than 12 years both in San Diego and the Capitol Building in Sacramento, and was honored for his work as one of San Diego Magazine’s “40 under 40″, a recognition of young community and business leaders.

Letter to CA Legislature On Cutting Taxes Not Raising Them

Authored by Richard Rider, Republican. Chairman of San Diego Tax Fighters.

Dear California State Senators:

Chairman of San Diego Tax Fighters – a grassroots, unabashedly pro-taxpayer outfit – I signed the opposition rebuttal argument concerning Prop 38 – the “Munger” proposition.  I see no need to here cover the ballot arguments further.

Instead I’ll discuss below the “millionaire’s tax” aspect – and the unintended consequences if either the Brown or Munger tax is passed.  This subject is seldom broached even by opponents (even in the ballot arguments), as it’s felt that many people so hate rich folks that it’s “bad form” to speak out in their defense.  I disagree.

 There’s a core fact to keep in mind – rich people seldom will leave the U.S. to avoid taxes, but – if taxes are deemed too high – many WILL leave a state.  Other states have experienced this outflow of the wealthy – and with FAR lower increases in their millionaire’s tax.

Moreover, the really rich (the much-hated “investor class”) don’t even have to leave to avoid most CA income taxes.  Most have second homes in other states and travel quite a lot.  They can relocate their official residence to such a home, while still visiting California several months a year (but no longer than 6 months total).
http://open.salon.com/blog/richard_rider/2012/02/22/several_states_cutting_or_eliminating_their_income_tax

It’s not that easy to relocate for tax purposes – one must do it right and really relocate.  There are over 20 criteria a wealthy current “Golden State” taxpayer should meet to no longer be a California resident.  But for a rich person with proper financial advice and assistance, it’s a logical decision that offers huge annual savings.

 How many wealthy folks will relocate – or take their businesses elsewhere?  No telling.  But most rich people are presumed to be greedy by the Occupy movement – let’s accept that premise.  I think we can agree that they didn’t become wealthy by being financially stupid.

It’s important to realize how California income taxes stack up against the other 49 states.  California already has the 2nd highest state income tax rate in the nation (behind Hawaii’s 11.0%).  Our 9.3% tax bracket starts at $48,029 for people filing as individuals.   Our 10.3% tax starts at $1,000,000.

Consider the Brown “millionaires’ tax.”  It would raise that rate to 13.3%, starting at $500,000 – including capital gains.  If approved, CA will be by far #1 in income tax rates.  We will be 21% higher than the 2nd highest state (Hawaii), 34% higher than the 3rd highest state (Oregon), and a heck of a lot higher than all the rest – including seven states with zero state income tax.   http://taxfoundation.org/sites/taxfoundation.org/files/docs/ff2012.pdf   Table #11

The Munger top bracket is 12.5%.  While lower than the top Brown tax bracket, it’s still much higher than the other states.  We will be 14% higher than Hawaii and 26% higher than Oregon.

Note that in 2011 California had the 3rd highest state income tax rate.  Now we are 2nd.  What changed?

What changed was that Oregon, an extremely liberal state, decided it would be best to LOWER their top tax bracket from 11% to 9.9%.  Was it because they decided to coddle the wealthy?  I think not.  They concluded that their state would receive more revenue (and the economy would do better) if they didn’t soak the rich so much.

BTW, Oregon has ZERO state or local sales tax – one of only three states without a sales tax.  In contrast, California has the highest state sales tax rate in the nation.

It’s not just Oregon moving to reduce their state income taxes.  Here’s a blog item I wrote in February of this year, based on a WALL ST JOURNAL article (link below):

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203889904577200872159113492.html


Several states cutting or eliminating their income tax.


by Richard Rider


It's tragic how some desperate states experiencing runaway state government spending are raising their income taxes to soak the rich.  But for those states such as California, it's MORE tragic that many other states are now moving to cut or eliminate their state income tax on corporations and/or individuals. This little-reported tax cutting trend rates wider publicity.


Why would states CUT their income tax collections?  Could it be that they want our refugee millionaires and businesses, and don't want to lose theirs?  Or maybe they are just stark raving mad (the dismissive likely liberal explanation).
Here's the obvious reason -- low tax states do better economically than high tax states.  Below is the latest quick bottom line comparison:

You WILL want to read this WALL ST JOURNAL editorial.  It names names (actually, states) -- Oklahoma, South Carolina, Kansas and Indiana.  In addition, Idaho, Maine, Nebraska, New Jersey and Ohio are debating income-tax cuts this year. Already 7 other states charge zero income tax.


http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203889904577200872159113492.html
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I maintain a fact sheet, comparing California with the other 49 states.  Included are taxes, regulations, litigation, utility costs and other factors.  Sadly, the Golden State is not so golden after all.  And our annual California state net domestic outmigration reflects this.

http://open.salon.com/blog/richard_rider/2012/07/20/breaking_bad_ca_vs_the_other_states_rev_72012

To further raise our already sky-high tax rates is madness.  CA IS the engine of prosperity – for the other 49 states.

Richard Rider