California, a State that Has Gone Stark Raving Mad
In my inbox just now, an email from the California State Board of Equalization. I present it as a reminder to the good people of Texas (where there's no income tax, the state legislature meets only every second year, the budget is in good shape, a conservative Republican governor is now in his third term, and a general air of sanity predominates) to fall to their knees every so often to offer a word of thanks.
Special Notice
Sales Tax Does Not Apply to City and County
Paper Bag SurchargesSome cities and counties have enacted ordinances that prohibit certain retailers from providing plastic bags to customers. In addition to the ban on providing plastic bags, under certain ordinances, the customer is generally required to pay the retailer a specific amount for each paper bag the customer is provided. These ordinances typically impose the charge upon the customer. Some of these ordinances specifically require that the retailer indicate on the customer’s receipt the number of paper bags provided and the total amount charged for the paper bags.
Under these circumstances, this charge is imposed by the local jurisdiction upon the customer, not the retailer. As such, this charge is not included in the retailer’s gross receipts and is not subject to sales or use tax.
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May '10
Re: California, a State that Has Gone Stark Raving Mad
Nevada is looking better and better every day.
Apr '11
Re: California, a State that Has Gone Stark Raving Mad
Peter, you live there! Do the citizens of California truly believe this orchestration of every aspect of their lives is not only insane but stifling to their freedom!
Tell me there is more from your tribe.
I'm in PA and Texas is sounding better and better the more I hear.
Jul '10
Re: California, a State that Has Gone Stark Raving Mad
"The salary paid to the employee for the time the employee spent reading this vital California state communication shall not be subject to state, county, municipal or MediCal taxes, but will be accrued to the employers CaliGreen Initiative credit as long as the vital California state communication is recycled according to CA State Code section 1099.23.4, subset (a), 'Pulp and Resin Reuse'."
Jul '10
Re: California, a State that Has Gone Stark Raving Mad
In other news, on its 162nd anniversary, the California Gold Rush was reenacted today. In reverse.
May '10
Re: California, a State that Has Gone Stark Raving Mad
Today, however, I'm looking at the silver lining. A small minority of Republican state legislators just succeeded in forcing the Democrats to pass a budget without any tax increases. In fact, a series of temporary taxes are set to expire tomorrow meaning that Californians will actually be seeing tax cuts for the first time in who knows how long.
Not only that, but late last night Governor Brown actually vetoed the union "card check" bill that had been recently passed.
Jul '10
Re: California, a State that Has Gone Stark Raving Mad
Peter, quit running California down.
There's lots to love. Like, um, we have more nuclear-weapons-free counties than any other state in the Union. Say what you will, but at least we're not stumbling over missile silos every time we go out to check our marijuana crop.
Jun '11
Re: California, a State that Has Gone Stark Raving Mad
I thought we changed to plastic bags because paper bags were bad for the environment? Now, paper bags are better as long as they aren't "free" paper bags? I'm befuddled.
Apr '11
Re: California, a State that Has Gone Stark Raving Mad
Fair warning:
It's not just conservatives leaving California. It's people moving to where they can open businesses or get jobs. Some are liberal, and they are taking their ideas with them.
Oct '10
Re: California, a State that Has Gone Stark Raving Mad
Have lived and enjoyed California in the past. Long past, that is. Now have put onto the Fly Over category for ample reasons.
The California State Board of Equalization is unreasonable and evil on its face.
Sorry, just a fact..
May '10
Re: California, a State that Has Gone Stark Raving Mad
In my drive to Fort Worth and back to Houston yesterday, I noticed two different businesses named "Texas Pride", a few dozen Texas flags, and at least half-a-dozen billboards advertising products made just for Texans.
We'll leave the light on for ya.
Apr '11
Re: California, a State that Has Gone Stark Raving Mad
Kenneth: Peter, quit running California down.
There's lots to love. Like, um, we have more nuclear-weapons-free counties than any other state in the Union. Say what you will, but at least we're not stumbling over missile silos every time we go out to check our marijuana crop. · Jun 29 at 11:18am
Most importantly, we are #1 in brain-addled liberal celebrities! Almost makes up for being the least business-friendly state, and having very nearly the highest cost of living and highest cost of doing business. (source)
If the rest of the country hated us just a little less, they might be concerned enough to put us on suicide watch.
California is the best argument for Federalism since Madison, Hamilton and Jay were chatting it up. Please, America, do not repeat our nonsense on a national scale. I need somewhere to escape to when having been born here is no longer a reason to stay.
May '10
Re: California, a State that Has Gone Stark Raving Mad
Kenneth:
There's lots to love. Like, um, we have more nuclear-weapons-free counties than any other state in the Union. Say what you will, but at least we're not stumbling over missile silos every time we go out to check our marijuana crop. · Jun 29 at 11:18am
It's the small things that really make life worth living.
Jun '11
Re: California, a State that Has Gone Stark Raving Mad
I'm kind of stuck on the "California State Board of Equalization." I'll get to the paper bag thing after it sinks in that there is such a Board.
What do they do on Monday mornings? Are their employees called "equalizers?"
Sep '10
Re: California, a State that Has Gone Stark Raving Mad
What the Sam Hill is a "State Board of Equalization"?!?
Oct '10
Re: California, a State that Has Gone Stark Raving Mad
Michael Patrick Tracy
Kenneth: Peter, quit running California down.
There's lots to love. Like, um, we have more nuclear-weapons-free counties than any other state in the Union. Say what you will, but at least we're not stumbling over missile silos every time we go out to check our marijuana crop. · Jun 29 at 11:18am
Please, America, do not repeat our nonsense on a national scale. I need somewhere to escape to when having been born here is no longer a reason to stay. · Jun 29 at 12:47pm
Having escaped California 20 years ago to Colorado, I want to warn you off. The Left Coasters who ruined what was once a paradise have now taken over Colorado and are crapping all over us now. Texas is, indeed, looking better all the time. Texans often say that God lives in Texas. We used to say that God vacations in Colorado.
I doubt that the Almighty finds this place that much more hospitable than California now.
Aug '10
Re: California, a State that Has Gone Stark Raving Mad
I sleep better knowing that the paper bag fee will be ten cents, not eleven cents.
Oct '10
Re: California, a State that Has Gone Stark Raving Mad
Anywhere else it would be the State Dept. of Revenue...ie Taxes.
May '10
Re: California, a State that Has Gone Stark Raving Mad
It's an elected board that has jurisdiction over collecting sales taxes, but it is also an appeals board for taxpayers to appeal findings of the "Franchise Tax Board." The FTB is California's IRS, and the BOE has the power to overrule them.
wilber forge
Anywhere else it would be the State Dept. of Revenue...ie Taxes. · Jun 29 at 1:42pm
Feb '11
Re: California, a State that Has Gone Stark Raving Mad
"What the Sam Hill is a "State Board of Equalization"?!?" Its the entity in charge of collecting the use & sales tax. Not to be confused with the Franchise Tax Board that collects the state's individual and corporate taxes.
Edited on Jun 29, 2011 at 2:38pmDec '10
Re: California, a State that Has Gone Stark Raving Mad
I'm just relieved that they've decided not to charge sales tax on taxes.