The California Independent Voter Network comments on The California Democracy Act, which will be put to vote this November. As the commentary explains, this act aims not to fix the problems of California's political system but to destroy its foundation by removing the two-thirds vote requirement. This is a set up for major financial instability for the state.

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The Supreme Court promptly dismissed the most recent lawsuit to overturn the two-thirds vote requirement, which claimed that the requirement was "unconstitutional." The court invoked its previous decision on the matter, in which it declared the requirement to be perfectly in line with constitutional law.

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This article in the San Diego Union-Tribune explains how Sacramento lawmakers are blaming the budget crisis on the constitutional requirement that tax legislature must pass a two-thirds vote to become law. In the same breath, these lawmakers are trying to force a $7.9 billion education bonus nearly identical to the one voters rejected just last month. Clearly the problem lies not in the two-thirds requirement, nor in the actions of voters, but in lawmakers trying to sidestep California’s political process.  Read more >>

This article in the National Review Online highlights the numerous over-simplified explanations for California’s budget crisis offered by national media. These explanations point fingers at the California budget process, Proposition 13 and California voters. However, as the author shows, the true cause is something else entirely.

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The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association (HJTA), more than 40 state legislators opposed to higher taxes, and John Eastman, dean of Chapman University, have filed suit to block the implementation of new taxes approved by the Legislature without the constitutionally required two-thirds vote.  Read more >>

In perhaps one of the most brazen political moves in California history, Democrat leadership last week unveiled a budget proposal that would shred the California Constitution by raising billions of new taxes without the required two-thirds vote.  Read more >>

The California Taxpayers Association (CalTax), after weeks of heavy pressure from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, agreed to support his "compromise" budget plan which includes a $10 billion tax increase. Apparently, CalTax thinks Californians don't pay enough taxes.  Read more >>

For over two months, a small, well disciplined cadre was able to hold off a howling army of eager spenders in the State Capitol. While Senate Republicans may not go down in history along side the 300 Spartans at Thermopylae, by holding out for a better deal on the state budget they achieved more than expected for California taxpayers.  Read more >>

As a state, California ranks 8th in per capita state and local taxation. Some politicians may counter that we are "only" 12th when our tax burden is measured as a percentage of personal income, but either way, we are running near the front of the pack in a 50 team league.  Read more >>

Freshman Democrat Assemblyman Jared Huffman of San Rafael wants to make increasing property taxes easier.  Read more >>