Calls needed this weekend on revenue and tax loophole bills

Well, legislators have finally heard you and have introduced legislation on revenue and closing tax loopholes we hope will go a long way to avoid deep cuts to the safety net of programs that you provide.

So, we need to do our part to support these efforts.

BACKGROUND:

• SB 6843 amends Initiative 960 to allow a simple majority vote to enact revenue increases. Right now, a two-thirds vote of the Legislature is required to approve revenue increases. SB 6843 would temporarily suspend that requirement to allow more flexibility in dealing with the deficit. Because the reality is the current super-majority requirement encourages California-style deal-making instead of sound-policy making. That’s not responsible governance.

• HB 3176 closes some tax loopholes, updates the tax code and makes other fixes to keep the tax code current and fair. In all, HB 3176 would protect or reclaim $363 million in state funding for 2009-2011 and $954 million in 2011-2013.

CALL TO ACTION

Please call the Legislature’s toll-free message hotline at 1-800-562-6000 and:

• Urge your legislators to support SB 6843 to amend I-960 and allow majority rule on revenue issues. We must protect the long-term investments in education and preserve the basic safety net for thousands of working families.

• And urge legislators to support HB 3176 to close tax loopholes to recoup hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenue.

Again, you can keep it real short. Call 1-800-562-6000. Urge your legislators to support SB 6843 to amend I-960 and to support HB 3176 to close tax loopholes.

The hotline will be open until 8 p.m. Friday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday.

• After you call - email this message to your legislators here.

KEEP THE PRESSURE ON AGAINST THE FURLOUGH BILL

Now this doesn’t mean we should let our guard down against the furlough bill.

That’s because SSB 6503, the anti-state employee bill on furloughs, is still set for a vote of the full House soon. However, it did not come to the floor Friday.

Continue to call the Legislature’s Hotline Message Center at 1-800-562-6000 and urge your two House members to oppose SSB 6503, the state employee furlough bill.