The California Taxpayers' Association
Legislative Scorecard 2002
October 21, 2002

The California Taxpayers’ Association, representing taxpayers for 76 years as the state’s oldest watchdog on tax and other public finance issues, presents the 2002 legislative scorecard. This scorecard tracks legislative votes on the highest priority bills for Cal-Tax that have reached the Assembly or Senate floors this year.

Accountability for legislative votes on tax and public finance issues is critically important. Tax and spending policies voted on by the Legislature have enormous impact on the health of this state’s economy and its ability to attract investment and jobs. The cost of government in California, the level of taxation, and the operation of the tax system are highly quantifiable measures that businesses evaluate in making decisions on locating operations. This scorecard is a report on the votes of legislators on key tax and public finance issues in 2002.

Scorecard votes that agree with Cal-Tax positions are designated by (+). Votes contrary to Cal-Tax positions are designated by (-). Absences and abstentions are counted as “no” votes. Not voting has the same result as voting “no.” Not voting on a bill opposed by Cal-Tax is recorded as a “no” vote and designated as (NV +). Not voting on a bill supported by Cal-Tax is designated as (NV-).

The percentage of votes in favor of Cal-Tax positions was calculated by dividing the number of votes cast in support of the Cal-Tax position by the total number of Cal-Tax priority bills.

The scorecard also records the Governor’s action on each of these bills that reached his desk.

Also attached is a description of each bill on the scorecard.