In a May 1 editorial, the Orange County Register writes that Board of Equalization Member Michelle Steel, an outspoken opponent of expanding the sales tax to services, is warning Californians to be on the lookout for last-minute legislation. The editorial states: "Ms. Steel … advises us that this new increase would affect about every Californian by expanding the sales tax to include services, such as car washes, haircuts and movies. … We may not see this tax hike introduced as legislation, Ms. Steel suggests, until the eleventh hour of budget deliberations in order to avoid organized opposition."
The editorial also notes that even with revenue coming in below predictions, "the state still expects to collect more in taxes in the coming year than ever before." (Source: Orange County Register, May 1.)
Cal-Taxletter May 2, 2008
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