What’s Wrong With the State’s Tax System?
We are pleased to deliver you the first edition of our monthly electronic newsletter “KC Fiscal Focus.” The newsletter focuses on California State public policy issues from a fiscal perspective. It is also the primary means for announcing the public release of publications by Kersten Communications–a Sacramento-based consulting firm which specializes in public policy research and analysis.
Given the current state budget stand-off, this edition focuses on the state’s tax system. State Republican lawmakers claim that all tax increases are bad and will devastate the economy but the truth is that there exist a number of huge loopholes in the tax system that should be closed as soon as possible.
The first in-depth KC briefing paper, “Why State Republican Lawmakers Are Wrong on Taxes.” debunks the Republican rhetoric on taxes .
Republicans have also claimed that California is a high-tax state and that any attempt to close business tax loopholes would drive businesses out of state.
A second report, “The Truth About California’s Business Tax Burden,” reviews a series of studies to prove that California is in fact a middle to low tax state and our overall tax burden is lower than neighboring states. This study was commissioned by Lenny Goldberg and the California Tax Reform Association.
A third report, “Summary of Selected Revenue Options for 2008-09, 2009-10, and Beyond,” summarizes a series of loophole closures and revenue increases that the Legislature should consider in attempting to close the $40 billion-plus budget gap. This report was co-authored by David Kersten and Lenny Goldberg, executive director of the California Tax Reform Association.
Other recent KC publications:
“Update on the Implementation of Proposition 63: The Mental Health Services Act (MHSA).”(PDF) December 2008.
In Depth KC Briefing Paper: “Assessing the Prevalence and Impact of Diabetes on Minority/Ethnic Communities.” (PDF) November 2008.
“Overview of Legislative Health Issues for 2007-08 and Beyond.”(PDF) October 2008.
Upcoming Events:
Kersten Communications also specializes in helping promote special events including legislative trips, policy symposiums, seminars and other events.
The California Endowment and the Government Action and Communications Institute invite you to attend a luncheon screening series of the landmark documentary “Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick?
The next showing is on February 20th from noon to 1:15 pm in room 100 of the Legislative Office Building. For more information click here. Space is limited so please RSVP.
For more information on Kersten Communications, to sign up for this newsletter on an ongoing basis, and view additional publications visit: www.kerstencommunications.com.
Finally, we welcome your feedback on this newsletter and our other publications.
UNNATURAL CAUSES EVENT CO-SPONSORS
American Association of Retired People (AARP) California
CA School Employees Association
California Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus
California Budget Project
California Forward
California Institute for Mental Health
California Latino Legislative Caucus
California Legislative Black Caucus
California Medical Association
California Nurses Association
Children Now
Community Engagement Center, CSU Sacramento
Health Access
Public Policy Institute of California
Sacramento Healthcare Decisions
SEIU California State Council
Sierra Club of California
The Sierra Health Foundation
University of Southern California State Capitol Center