I'd prefer non of those taxes but I'd have to tax the most frivolus thing - golf.

Taxing Vet care will impact every pet lover across the board from the small child with a sick hamster to the elderly with their beloved animals. To many pets are not a luxury they are a companion and family. If you aren't gonna tax my sisters kid's health care then don't tax my "kids" health care. It's already quite expensive but I'd hate to think of all those beloved animals out there that won't be getting their heart worm shots or rabies shots because there's a luxury tax of the animals medical care.

My favorite wine is from California, and while it would suck to have to pay more for it (assuming that means they tax it to distributors, who would in turn raise the cost for all the rest of us who buy it at stores, but maybe that's a wrong assumption), taxing vet care is ABSOLUTELY wrong. Like borderline immoral, imho. Owning a pet is expensive enough and sometimes vets are needed for reasons that cannot be put off (flea medicine or checkups versus being run over or seriously injured). It seems wrong to tax someone for an emergency situation, especially if it means the difference between the life and death of an animal.

I can't think of anything that Arnold has done for California that justifies electing him governor. But he's a cautionary tale on tax cuts: states are all set to take any extra cash to cover their shortfalls.
Raising vet and car repair costs are really bad, short-sighted ideas - there'll be more abandoned animals and more pollution from cars that aren't kept up properly.

Is this guy really a conservative? How about we try some conservative principles, like lower the taxes, decrease the size of the government, and work with the budget you have. Doesn't he realize that it has been proven time and again that when you decrease income tax, you generate much more through sales tax, and have a net increase in your overall income to the state?

increasing the tax on vet services and car repairs seems like it would only encourage irresponsible behavior.

As I said in the other thread, states are in dire situations right now. I know that the california legislature has passed some budget measures that were turned down by Arnold, but I don't remember what they were.

I don't think taxing wine is a good idea, because right now California is trying to break out from under European wines. I do think that taxing things like golf, etc., that are not necessary is a good way to go, but we have to make sure that they wouldn't make too big of an impact in growing industries.

And just because I will be leaving soon, I have to say again that the Pelosi thread was a bit skewed in its presentation. Part of the Recovery Plan is to help states. Right now, many states are in dire fiscal shape. Their services to help those in need are being needed more than ever, with fewer resources than ever. Yes, one of those services is "family planning", but keep in mind that includes cancer screenings like pap smears and breast exams that many females in need would miss out on if they didn't have assistance. Not to mention that the pill has more uses than just birth control, especially for younger girls.

UnDave, Gov. S did cut taxes but could not control spending hence the major budget shortfalls.

I can't believe Californians kicked Gray Davis out of the office for this man. Almost everything Davis was supposed to be doing wrong Schwarzenegger is doing it and getting away with it.

I think it would be wiser to tax gas rather than car repairs. Car repairs are so expensive to begin with and most people don't set aside money in anticipation for said. It would be much easier to curb one's driving habits then figure out how to suddently pay $3k to replace their timing belt. If you can't afford to fix your car, it can be a lot more inconvenient trying to figure out how to get to work than finding ways to conseve gas during the week.

And although it makes more sense to tax things you do when your playing; such as, golf, movies, theme parks rather than things you need to perform or get to your work, I'm not sure the plan would work while so many people are unemployed who have already had to cut out all the fun. I guess that is why they chose animal care because they don't feel you would want to watch your animal suffer.

I worked in the veterinary field for a while and it's hard enough to get someone to pay $8 for a rabies shot let alone a potentially life-saving examination on their dog. And the only reason they're getting the rabies shot is because it's required by law. Taxing on vet care is not a good solution. All it will do is increase the number of sick and abandoned animals.

I also can't think of a single reason to justify electing him.

And jazz....people don't want to watch their animal suffer that's true. But when it comes time for them to choose between getting Scruffy's lump checked out and putting food on the table, chances are Scruffy is going to wind up at the pound.

I agree blues. I think they should put those exhorbitant taxes on those $5,000 purses all those celebrities have to have or their $50,000 dresses, or instead of veterinary taxes why not plastic surgery taxes!

"Almost everything Davis was supposed to be doing wrong Schwarzenegger is doing it and getting away with it."
He isn't getting away with it. He has been all but black balled in California. No one will work with him, especially not the conservatives. Gray Davis was a horrible governor. He deserved to be removed but, so does this fool. Problem is, Californians have learned a little bit about a recall election. They are expensive and it is unlikely that you will get a reasonable candidate to replace the guy. So it isn't going to happen. Hopefully California will make a wiser choice next election. Taxing is not the way out of this. We have to all make sacrifices in this time, the california government needs to do so as well. They aren't and until they do, I will never support a tax increase. Absurd!!!!

"I'd prefer non of those taxes but I'd have to tax the most frivolus thing - golf. "
Oh that frivilus golf, if we are going to tax gold, then tax yachting, snowboarding, snorkeling, baseball/softball leagues, bowling, soccer... etc. It is lame to single out 1 thing because there are rich people that play the sport. People fail to realize that there are many kids that benefit from the structure that is playing golf. Poor families here where I live have their kids play golf at the municipal course to stay out of trouble. It takes like 4 hours at least to walk an 18 hole golf course. It's a great way to spend the day. Taxing it will put that much more of a burden on people who are not rich that use golf as their escape.

This is terrible! Already I won't be getting my tax refund thanks to our state (and since my husband just got laid off, I desperately need that money now!), and now I will have to pay more money for vet bills and car repairs- two things that CANNOT be cut back on. The state needs to look at spending less, not charging us more- we are already struggling as it is!

lol, I bet legalizing marijuana and prostitution is looking very tempting right now for Californians. Imagine the tax on that.

Hey Hypnotic I voted to legalize Prostitute in SF. But you our 'tutes are skanky addicts. We don't attract and high end hos here. They all go to LA, NY and Madison, WI.

Forgot to say - HOORAY FOR SUPER UnDAVE!

HOORAY!!!

California state taxes are horrible to begin with. If you and your husband are professionals and earn of 50 grand each, then you can't write off you interest on your home, healthcare expenses, or daycare for starters. I get a very small refund from federal each year and end up paying the state with that refund. California has no benefits for professionals. I think since so many are not going to get their state tax refunds this year, I will just not pay them what i owe them. That sounds fair!

Hainan that sounds irrational and not even close to being fair. But go baby go!

I'll add you to the list of folks I know who are refusing to pay state taxes.

And as far as the over $50K couple not being able to write off interest etc - generally one gets those write offs from the Federal which is why the CA does not except those.

And hey as a singleton who normal makes over $55K but unfortunately last year made under $12K due to illness. When I made $70K two years back I wasn't able to take many deductions on the CA taxes because I got to take them on the Federal side. Still I don't care because I under and accept that paying taxes and receiving a certain amount of benefit from the government is part of living and working in the US.

Weird thing when I did my taxes this year even though I don't have children I got an EIC from CA. I redid my taxes over and over again and still got the EIC from the CA. Why? Because the state considered me a loser this year so they gave me the EIC for myself.

excuse me - under should be understand - brain is screwed up due to over night migraine.

California gives me no benefit in living here. And Wack- If you earn under that you are able to write those things off. I would care if it was across the board that no one gets to write them off because you do it federally. But that isn't the case. California is penalizing people who make something of themselves. They cater to the very low income and it is tough to deal with that here. I really wish I could move, but my hubby has a really good job, and in this climate, probably not a good idea to change jobs If not for that we would be out of here!