You mean to tell that all it takes to repeal a law in California is an executive order?

Schwarzenegger Repeals Car Tax

Darn weird state.

Considering that Davis raised the car tax unilaterally, it makes sense to me.

Do you guys have a legislature?

Edited to add: yes, that's a rhetorical question. What I'm getting at is: how can a governor "declare" a tax? Isn't that the sort of thing that legislators vote on?

[ November 17, 2003, 09:47 PM: Message edited by: twin58 ]

What's wrong with that? After all, liberals have for years been using the courts to do this.

It's a sorry state where over 70% of the entire state budget is out of reach of the legislature, thanks to California's stupid Constitution and all those damn propositions and intiatives.

Alright, NOW who thinks a democracy or "let the people" decide is the best way to govern?

Always some stretching to hammer "liberals"--MIB is so far to the right he's almost on the left!

But seriously, in most municipal, state governments AND in the federal goverment, taxes can ONLY be imposed by legislative action. Municipal and state executives in many cases do have broad powers (in some cases they're quite constrained), but the imposition of taxes or the elimination of such is not so easy. Some states go so far as to require super-majorities for the imposition of new taxes, or, in the case of most bond measures, a popular vote. And as in the recent example set by Alabama, even when new taxes and fees are necessary to fund the very programs people clamor for, as well as critical infrastructure needs, the executive has to bow to the will of the people.

As for taxes, even Raygun raised them in Calleeforneeyah back in the late 1960s because the state was in financial straits. But then, people usually leave these practical aspects of Raygun's governance out; he, like HW and Nixon and most GOPers with any good sense, was willing to go against hardcore principles (and principals) when it meant furthering (what he thought to be) the public good.

Too funny. I just love playing Devil's Advocate a lot. wink You'd be surprised how often I vote for Democrats.

Perhaps someone should tell the Nevada State Supreme Court that a court doesn't raise taxes. After all, THEY ordered a direct increase in taxes there, because the PEOPLE of the state voted against a tax increase, and NV's governor wasn't too happy about that. What a mess!

I believe that the car tax is technically a "fee," which doesn't need the legislature to pass and the governor to sign into the law. A tax does need legislative approval. Much the same that the fees to park at a state beach or to enter a state park can be raised without the state legislature.

Coincidentally, this would be the same thing as student fees. Student fees at state schools can be raised without legilative approval. The individual board of regents approve the raises. Another funny thing about Californians. California residents don't technically pay tuition for public colleges; they pay these "student fees." California taxpayers pay for the public education; therefore, these fees are for student services, not for education. Out-of-staters pay the tuition. It's another way of going around a law.

There is a blurring of "fee" and "tax."

with all the freaking ballot measures, I sometimes wonder about that myself

what do we pay these people for if not for passing and making laws