Some thoughts on the budget

Tomorrow we're running a story I wrote (and am putting the finishing touches on) on the state budget. Basically, the gist of it is that state workers, social service groups, school districts etc. are totally prepared for a late budget because it happens so often. The striking thing that most everyone told me was that their main concern was that the budget get passed by September.

The big question is whether there will be any kind of tax increase passed with that budget. With Republicans able to effectively block any increase, the smart answer is no. However, in a conversation with Assemblyman Anthony Portantino last week, he told me that when he has approached Republicans about a potential tax increase, they have given it some thought.

Most Republicans, Portantino says, tell him that if taxes have to be raised, it should be an income tax increase that passes the tax burden equally to all Californians, and that the tax increase should come with an expiration date so that it does not become entrenched.

Makes sense to me. I've always kind of liked the idea of sales tax because I live pretty frugally and I feel I can dodge the tax man a bit that way, but if you have to raise taxes, that really seems like the most equitable way to do it.

Realistically though, I have a hard time believing it will actually happen.