From the Desk of Peter Foy

AFP Statewide Chairman

Thank you for your continued support of AFP’s work here in California. Last week, State Controller John Chiang reported a $1.1 billion deficit in the first three months of the new fiscal year. That means that very soon there will be yet another battle over our state’s budget.

Just a few days before the bad news about state revenue, Governor Schwarzenegger’s Commission on the 21 st Century Economy released its plan on how to stabilize tax revenue. This week I wrote an opinion editorial on the Commission’s report, which is included below.

As we prepare for the latest budget battle, I hope we can once again count on your involvement in the fight against higher taxes.

Peter Foy

State Chairman

California’s 21 st Century Job Killer

Last week the Governor’s Commission on the 21 st Century Economy released their plan for “stabilizing” tax revenue. Some of the Commission’s recommendations would undoubtedly help our state’s moribund economy. For example, reducing personal income taxes and eliminating corporate and sales taxes will greatly relieve the burden on our overtaxed citizens and employers. As calculated by the Tax Foundation, California has the fourth highest top individual tax rate in the country and we rank an embarrassing forty-eighth for our business tax climate.

The Golden State has always been known for leading the nation in innovation and prosperity, now we lead the nation in taxation and regulation. Disposing of our 8.84% corporate tax and 5% sales tax will go a long way in reviving our business climate. These are positive proposals and the Commission should be commended for recognizing the need to reduce or eliminate such repressive taxes. However, this step forward would be completely undercut by the Commission’s other major proposal: implementing a business net receipts tax (BNRT).

Click here to read the rest of California’s 21 st Century Job Killer

Defending the American Dream Summit

Americans for Prosperity Foundation recently held its annual Defending the American Dream Summit in Washington, D.C. Over 2,000 citizens from all across the country, including California, attended the event, where they heard from Laura Ingraham, Newt Gingrich, Larry Kudlow and others. There were also training sessions in grassroots activism to show AFP members how to be better advocates for limited government.

To watch a video on AFP’s Hands off our Health Care National Town Hall on the steps of the Capitol, click here.