Written by
Capitol Television News Service (CTNS)
SACRAMENTO, CA - A couple of prominent groups are joining forces in a campaign against Gov. Jerry Brown's $7 billion tax hike on the November ballot.
The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and the National Federation of Independent Business's are urging business owners about being threatened or "cajoled" into supporting the Brown's plan.
"California generates a lot of tax revenue already. We're one of the highest taxed states in the United States and we have one of the worst business climates," Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association Jon Coupal said. "We really don't need higher taxes right now that would further slow the California economy."
Current polls show public support for the tax measure. But critics are quick to point out California is already the third most taxed state in the U.S.
"Actually we should consider tax reductions," Coupal said. "We are now competing against other states that have a significantly less tax burden than we do and that's severely hurting our competitiveness."
A spokesman for the governor dismissed these claims as "a baseless accusation and hyperventilation meant to generate headlines."
Voters have rejected the past seven proposed tax increases in California.
CTNS