Thank You Proposition 30 Supporters!

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California state sales tax rates, before and after Proposition 30, compared to the state sales tax rate in 49 others states.

California state income tax rates, before and after Proposition 30, compared to the maximum income tax rate in 49 other states.

Top spenders supporting Proposition 30 tax hikes.  The top two spenders on Proposition 30 are also the top two spenders on California politics in general.  Both are public-sector employee unions as are many of the spenders on Proposition 30 tax hikes.  Many of these groups are also major contributors to the ruling California Democratic Party, another major spender on Proposition 30 tax hikes.

California rated 'F' on Kauffman small business sentiment survey.  California is one of only four states to receive an 'F' rating.  The primary reason cited was "Tax code."

California has the lowest overall state bond credit rating according to a report by the California State Treasurer (#50). Illinois was recently downgraded to below California by Moody's rating agency.

California was ranked the worst-run state government (#50).  The California Legislature has been ruled by the same party, the California Democratic Party for decades and holds nearly 2-to-1 majorities in BOTH Houses.

California was ranked the worst state for business for eight consecutive years (#50) by a nation-wide survey of chief executive officers.  This is the group that decides whether a business stays in California or whether or not to move a business to California.  The primary reason for California's low ranking is our tax structure and governmental regulation--both under the control of our state government.

California was ranked as the state with the least favorable business climate for ten consecutive years (#50).

California's 8th-grade public school students ranked #49 on the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) reading achievement test according to the California Legislative Analysts Office. See "California's State School Rankings Are a Mixed Bag." California has the nation's highest public-school teacher salary and the ranks #49 on student/teacher ratio.

California's 8th-grade public school students ranked #48 on the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) math achievement test according to the California Legislative Analysts Office. See "California's State School Rankings Are a Mixed Bag." California has the nation's highest public-school teacher salary and the ranks #49 on student/teacher ratio.

California ranked #48 on state unemployment--third highest in the nation and well above the national average.  California's unemployment rate remains stubbornly high despite California's fastest-in-the-nation job growth since June 2012.

California ranked #48 on business tax climate and has ranked near the bottom nationally since 2007.

California ranked #47 on state lawsuit climate.

California's 8th-grade public school students ranked #47 on the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) science achievement test. California tied with Alabama and ahead of only Washington, D.C. and Mississippi.  Strangely, Proposition 30 champion Jerry Brown proposed eliminating the 2nd-year California high school requirement in order to save money.

California ranked #47 on economic performance.

California ranked #46 on small business survival.

California ranked #43 on affordable electricity costs--above the national average.

California ranked #42 on high school graduation rates.

California ranked #31 on per student spending in public schools, according to the California Legislative Analysts Office (LAO).  See "California's State School Rankings Are a Mixed Bag." California has the nation's highest public-school teacher salary and the ranks #49 on student/teacher ratio.

California is ranked the #2 most broadly and onerously licensed state for business.

California has the nation's 2nd-highest gasoline and diesel taxes in October 2012.  According to the Legislative Analysts Office (LAO), Proposition 30 will not affect gasoline taxes but will affect diesel taxes.

California has the nation's highest percentage of residents receiving Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) welfare benefits--well above the national average.

California has the nation's largest population and the nation's largest percentage of undocumented immigrants according to the Pew Research Center on Immigration.

The undocumented immigrant population is estimated at 6.7% of the total California population, or about 1 out of every 15 people.

The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) estimates that undocumented immigrants cost California's public school system about $11.27 BILLION annually, or about double the funds provided by Proposition 30 tax hikes.

Questions Abound About the Major Spenders Behind Propositions 30 and 32

I think it's great that the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) is demanding full disclosure for shadowy Americans for Responsible Leadership (ARL).  Let's hope that the FPPC also receives a full disclosure of ALL of the transactions behind the top two spenders in California politics.  California's top two political spenders disclose a portion of their campaign activities.  Other portions fall into "independent expenditures."

QUESTION:  Who are the two biggest spenders in California politics?

According to the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), the top two spenders in California politics are ...

1. California Teachers Association (CTA)
2. Service Employees International Union (SEIU)

Both are public-sector employee unions.  Employees are paid using taxpayer dollars.  As a union-only state, California's public-sector employee unions enjoy special protections not available to regular taxpayers.

REPORT:  California Fair Political Practices Commission
"Big Money Talks: The 15 Special Interests that Spent $1 Billion to Shape California Government" (March 2010)
http://www.fppc.ca.gov/reports/Report31110.pdf

QUESTION:  Who were the top two spenders on independent expenditure (IE) groups in California politics between 2000-20012?

1. California Teachers Association (CTA)
2. Service Employees International Union (SEIU)

REPORT: California Common Sense
"Independent Expenditures: The New Money in California Politics"
http://cacs.org/images/dynamic/articleAttachments/21.pdf

QUESTION:  Who are the two biggest spenders supporting Proposition 30 tax hikes on all Californians?

According to publicly available campaign disclosures as of 11/4/2012:
http://votersedge.org/california/ballot-measures/2012/november/prop-30/funding

1. California Teachers Association:  $11.7 MILLION
2. Service Employees International Union (SEIU):  $11.4 MILLION

Despite the $11 million contribution from shadowy Americans for Responsible Leadership (ARL), the public sector unions STILL enjoy a major spending advantage.  The unions enjoyed an overwhelming advantage until the donation form ARL and California's Charles Munger in early October.  Be careful not to double-count ARL's and Munger's spending as it goes both to defeating Proposition 30 and to support Proposition 32.

The third largest spender behind Proposition 30 is the California Democratic Party, who receives large contributions from--as you might expect--the California Teachers Association and the Service Employees International Union.

QUESTION:  Who are the two biggest spenders against Proposition 32, which seeks to limit undue influence from corporations and unions in California politics?

According to publicly available campaign disclosures as of 11/4/2012:
http://votersedge.org/california/ballot-measures/2012/november/prop-32/funding

1. California Teachers Association:  $21.2 MILLION
2. Service Employees International Union (SEIU):  $13.6 MILLION

Despite the $11 million contribution from shadowy Americans for Responsible Leadership (ARL), the public sector unions STILL enjoy a major spending advantage.  The unions enjoyed an overwhelming advantage until the donation form ARL and California's Charles Munger in early October.   Be careful not to double-count ARL's and Munger's spending as it goes both to defeating Proposition 30 and to support Proposition 32.

QUESTION:  Who appointed to the leadership of the California Fair Political Practices Commission?

Governor Jerry Brown.

"SacBee: Jerry Brown assumes uncommon influence over FPPC"
http://inlandpolitics.com/blog/2011/07/21/sacbee-jerry-brown-assumes-uncommon-influence-over-fppc/

QUESTION:  Who is the main proponent of Proposition 30?

Governor Jerry Brown.

QUESTION:  Which top political spender in California politics and major spender for Proposition 30 and against Proposition 32 held a private town hall meeting with Governor Jerry Brown on April 20, 2012?

SEIU Local 1000 (Service Employees International Union)

While ARL deserves to be investigated, the Governor and his cronies not blameless either.  Unfortunately, due to who runs Sacramento, both officially and unofficially, I doubt a FULL investigation of all parties will ever happen.

California: The Oasis of Democratic Politics

At the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charolette, North Carolina, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) met with the California delegation and spoke of "the oasis of Democratic politics that California is."

Really?  REALLY?!?!  As a fourth-generation native Californian, a small businessman, and attempting to raise a family, I can assure you that I don't feel like I live in heaven with the Democrats running the state.

Democrats hold solid, nearly two-to-one majorities in BOTH Houses of the California Legislature.  Likewise, Democrats hold EVERY major statewide elected office.  Yes, California is an "oasis" of one-party rule. Let's see what a tremendous record of success that the "oasis of Democratic politics" has  delivered for Californians.  I'm just surprised that the rest of the nation isn't begging for California's Democratic Party to take over the rest of the nation.

As of January, 2013, California has the nation's highest unemployment rate, persistently well above the national average although tied with minuscule Rhode Island.  Some will argue that California has had some of the fastest job growth in the nation, which is true--since June 2012 and California needs exceptionally high job growth to overcome its massive jobs deficit.  Meanwhile, 8 of the 10 cities in the nation with the highest unemployment rate are in California.

California has among the nation's highest income tax rates.  California's second-to-top rate of 9.3% is higher than the maximum tax rate in 47 other states and begins at just $48,000 in income.  California's top rate of 10.3% is second highest in the nation, behind Hawaii's 11%. Despite that, California's high tax rates don't produce enough revenue to meet the Sacramento's insatiable spending appetite.  Consequently, the latest sham budget crafted by Governor Brown and the California Legislature includes new tax hikes via Proposition 30 that give California the nation's 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 7th highest state income tax rates.  Perhaps not surprisingly, Debbie Wasserman Schultz lives in Florida, one of only seven U.S. states that have ZERO income tax.

Likewise, Proposition 30 increased California's state sales tax rates, which were already the highest in the nation.

California has the nation's highest gasoline tax--tied with New York--about 38% higher than the national average.  California pays some of the highest fuel costs in the nation.

California has lost income-producing taxpayers to other states, according to the Tax Foundation.  Most of the migration was to lower-tax or no-tax states.

In a 2011 Kauffman Foundation survey on small business friendliness, California was one of only four states that received an 'F' rating . Why? According to those surveyed, the primary reason was California's tax code.

California is ranked among the five worst business tax climates in the United States by the Tax Foundation.

California was ranked DEAD LAST by a nation-wide survey of chief executive officers as the worst place in the USA to do business.  California ranked last for nine consecutive years.

California was ranked as the nation's least favorable business climate on a survey by Development Counsellors International.

California is ranked #46 on the 2011 Small Business Survival Index, primarily due to high taxes.

California is the nation's 2nd-most broadly and onerously licensed state.

California is ranked #47 on its lawsuit climate, deteriorating from earlier ratings.

According to an October 2012 report by the California State Treasurer, California has the lowest overall credit rating of any state in the nation.  Sure, California is only ranked second-worst by Moody's but last place by S&P and Fitch.  Why is California now 2nd place with Moody's?  Did California's new sham "balanced" budget convince the credit rating agencies?  No, it's because Moody's downgraded Illinois to below California.  California has the nation's 3rd-highest debt per capita, 2nd-highest debt to personal income, and 2nd-highest debt as a percentage of state GDP.

Despite our high debt levels, Democrats in the California Legislature further burdened California taxpayers by pushing through a new, multi-billion-dollar, not-so-high-speed rail system.  The new plan is so misguided that even the author of Supertrains: Solutions to America's Transportation Gridlock and one of the key Democrat advocates behind the original rail plan recommended AGAINST passing the new plan.

Despite our high debt levels and a supposed lack of money, the California Legislature approved pay raises for Legislative staff.

California has 12% of the nation's population but 33% of the nation's Temporary Aid to Needy Family (TANF) welfare recipients. Why is that?

According to a California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) report, the two biggest spenders in California politics are state public-employee unions California Teachers Association (CTA) and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).  A majority of that political spending goes to the California Democratic Party.  According to a former California Democrat Legislator, the CTA considers itself as a "the co-equal fourth branch of government."  Even career Democrat, former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown acknowledges that California Governor Jerry Brown (no relation) is afraid to confront the teachers union.

These same unions are the two biggest spenders supporting Proposition 30, designed to raise your taxes.  Did I mention that California is a "union-only" state?

California's 8th-graders scored 3rd worst in the nation in science--tied with Alabama and ahead of only Washington, D.C. (the nation's brain trust) and Mississippi.  Naturally, the California Legislature discussed cutting the 2nd year of high-school to save money.  But, good news everybody, we do have state-mandated "gay history" classes!  Some will argue that California's poor showing is all about student funding.  Washington, D.C. scored dead last on the science assessment by a considerable margin.  Washington, D.C. also has among the nation's highest per student spending.

Democrat super-star Antonio Villaraigosa is Mayor of Los Angeles. Los Angeles is now ranked the 2nd most corrupt region in the United States behind infamously-corrupt Chicago.  You may remember him from the Democratic National Convention when he attempted to return the word "God" and recognize Jerusalem as the capitol of Israel in the Democratic Party platform.

Forty-two-year incumbent California Democrat Senator Dianne Feinstein is afraid to debate her Republican challenger, Elizabeth Emken.  As the July 17th Los Angeles Times editorial put it, "Nothing screams 'entrenched incumbent' more than a refusal to debate an opponent."

Democrat Congressman Pete Stark has been in Congress since 1973.  Although supposedly representing California, he has declared his Maryland home to be his primary residence.  In 2010, over 90% of his campaign contributions came from out-of-state donors, primarily political action committees (PACs).  Fortunately, he finally lost his seat in 2012--a long overdue win for California voters.

California's government was ranked the nation's worst-run state government in 2011 and, in 2012, for the 2nd year in a row.

Only three cities in the United States have a net "unfavorable" rating.  Two are in California (Oakland, Los Angeles) and governed by Progressive Democrats.  California's current Governor, Jerry Brown, was former Mayor of Oakland.

I could go on, but there's not enough room to categorize all the "success" bestowed on the "oasis" of California by the Democrats. In an extra moment of hilarity, leaders from the one-party rule California Democratic Party politburo call Republicans "Nazis." If this is "heaven," I wonder what hell feels like.

Was the California Senate Censorship of Proposition 30 Intentional? You Decide!

UPDATE:  Pro Tem Steinberg has since apologized for cutting off the cameras.  Please read on to decide if there was more to the decision than he lets on.

As reported in the Sacramento Bee, the Democrat leader in the California Senate, Darrell Steinberg ordered that cameras to the public feed be turned off, just as they were about to discuss Proposition 30.  Proposition 30 is Governor Jerry Brown's tax hike initiative.  Was this such a big deal?  You decide.

• One of the biggest funders supporting Proposition 30 is the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).  According to MapLight, a site that tracks campaign spending, SEIU has spent nearly $6.2 million as of 2-OCT-2012 in support of Proposition 30.  Public television station KCET has a bit more detail, showing contributions from SEIU Local 1000 and the California State Council of Service Employees Issues Committee.

• According to his official biography, Darrell Steinberg was formerly an "attorney for the California State Employees Association for ten years."
• SEIU Local 1000 is an affiliate of the California State Employees Association.
• According to a March 2010 report by California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), SEIU is the second-largest spender in California politics.
  
• According to his official biography, Darrell Steinberg was the author of 2004's Proposition 63, which asked a simply majority of California voters to impose a 1% surtax on those earning $1 million or more.  Many in California view Proposition 63 as an abuse of the democratic initiative process, and at least one lawsuit was filed claiming that Proposition 63 was an unconstitutional violation of state and federal equal protection clauses.  Some also see Proposition 30 as a similar violation.  To avoid such criticism, Proposition 30 has a FOUR-year sales tax increase that applies to ALL Californians.  The income tax increase only applies to the top 2-3% of California taxes but lasts for SEVEN years.
• If Governor Brown's Proposition 30 passes, Steinberg's Proposition 63 adds another 1% on top.  Combined, Proposition 30 and Proposition 63 would give California the nation's 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th highest state income tax rates in the nation.
  
• SEIU is a major contributor to Darrell Steinberg, Governor Brown, and to the California Democratic Party.  SEIU holds enough political power and sway to justify a private town hall meeting with Governor Jerry Brown.

Based on this evidence, does it appear that Darrell Steinberg has a conflict of interest over any public discussion of Proposition 30?  I think so.  Do I think that Darell Steinberg cut off the cameras to avoid publicly discussing Proposition 30?  Yes, because the more that voters learn about Proposition 30, the less they like it.

It's unlikely that I will ever make enough to be affected by the Proposition 30 tax hikes.  However, I'm smart enough to realize that they're unfair and will likely further poison California's ailing business environment.  My fellow Californians, please VOTE NO on PROPOSITION 30.

http://soquelbythecreek.blogspot.com/2012/07/california-proposition-30-governor.html

California Proposition 30: Governor Jerry Brown's Big-Government Tax Hike

California Governor Jerry Brown, in partnership with public-sector unions such as the California Teachers Association (CTA), the California Federation of Teachers (CFT) and the Service Employee International Union (SEIU) proposes big tax hikes on a small number of Californians in order to close a multi-billion dollar budget hole.  Despite the budget hole, threats to public safety, and threats to close public schools for weeks, the California Legislature continues to block prudent comprehensive public-pension reforms, to fund tuition benefits for children of undocumented workers, and to fund a not-so-"high-speed" rail line between Merced and Bakersfield.  The California Legislature has NO SPENDING PRIORITIES.

The latest incarnation of the Governor's plan will appear on the November 2012 ballot in California as Proposition 30.

California already has some of the highest state taxes in the United States.  Those earning over $48,000 incur a 9.3% state tax rate--California's second-highest rate, which by itself is already the fourth highest in the nation even without any tax hikes.  Only the top tax rates in Hawaii, California, and Oregon are higher.

If passed, Proposition 30 would burden California the nation’s first, second, third, and fifth highest marginal state tax rates!  The following chart compares California's current state income tax rates and proposed increases against the highest income tax rates in other states.  Billed by the Governor and his allies as a "temporary" tax hike, these rates would be in effect for seven years.  The income tax increases fall exclusively on the top 2-3% of taxpayers who already pay roughly half (or more) of California's entire tax bill.

In order to appear "fair" and "broad-based", Proposition 30 also increases California’s state sales tax, already the nation’s highest. The following chart compares California’s state sales tax rate to the other 49 states.

Despite all of Governor Brown's talk of tax fairness, Proposition 30 circumvents the Legislature’s 2/3rd requirement to raise taxes. In fact, Proposition 30 is “electioneered” by Governor Jerry Brown and his allies to only require a simple majority to pass. Proposition 30 asks the 50% of California voters--who pay little or no state income tax--to pass a big tax increase on the top 2-3% of California taxpayers, who already pay roughly 50% of ALL state income taxes. Proposition 30 is an abuse of the so-called “democratic process”, especially for so-called Democrats. Is this what “democracy” looks like?

Proposition 30 asks California voters for a four-year, 0.25% rate increase to the state sales tax, which equates to a 3.4% rate increase. The sales tax hike applies to ALL Californians. Proposition 30 also asks voters for a seven-year increase on only the top 2-3% of income taxpayers.  This equates to a 9.7% to 24.4% rate increase for the taxpayers who ALREADY pay the highest effective tax rate and roughly 50% of all state income tax.

In 2009, the average tax liability for every California taxpayer was about $2,655.  However, averages usually hide some important details.  For example, the average human being has one testicle and one ovary.  The bottom 50% of taxpayers (and possible voters) pays between $0 and $500 in TOTAL California income tax.  Meanwhile, Governor Brown's tax increase targets the top 2-3% of taxpayers who earn $250,000 or more ever year, despite that they ALREADY pay the highest effective tax rates.  These taxpayers also already pay between $9,000 and $1.3 million.

The primary reason that California income tax revenues collapsed during the financial crisis is that INCOMES collapsed for ALL Californians, but especially for those at the top. The following chart shows the incomes and income taxes collected in 2007 (before the financial crash) and in 2009 (after the financial crash).  Why the big swings in income and taxes for those making over $1 million?  Unlike the federal tax system, California treats capital gains exactly like ordinary earned income.  The California Legislature loves all the extra revenue generated from stock market and real estate gains.  Unfortunately, this over-reliance means huge decreases during market crashes.  The subprime crisis causes simultaneous crashes is BOTH real estate and on Wall Street.  The California Legislative Analysts Office (LAO) has long recognized this problem as a cause for California's revenue volatility.

Despite that top taxpayers still  pay the highest marginal tax rates, Proposition 30 wants to increase those rates even more, leaving California even MORE VULNERABLE to future market swings. 

California ALREADY suffers from its high taxation. The result is that California suffers from a poor business tax climate that drives away jobs and causes are above-average unemployment.  Many Democrats within the California government refuse to believe that high taxes have any effect on California's economy, despite ample evidence to the contrary.  Why have California's tax revenues dropped?  It is NOT because tax rates are too low.  The fundamental problem is that California's private-sector economy is stagnating while government expenditures have increased.  Simply raising taxes, even if it is limited to the top 2-3%, will NOT fix what ails California.

California currently has the nation’s 3rd-worst unemployment rate, beating out only Rhode Island and Nevada.

Naturally, the public-employee unions are bankrolling Proposition 30 and have spent over $31.6 MILLION as of November 3, 2012.

Many of these groups are also recognized as the biggest spenders in California politics, according to a March 2010 report by the California Fair Political Practices Commission.  The California Teachers Association (CTA) has spent $10.7 MILLION on Proposition 30 so far and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) has spent over $11.1 MILLION as of 11/3/2012.  The spending will likely be even higher by the time the election is over.

What kind of access does that kind of money buy? Just ask California Governor Jerry Brown, who has private town-hall meetings with California's public-sector unions.  Even career Democrats such as Willie Brown (no relation)--California's longest-serving Assembly Speaker and former Mayor of San Francisco--recognize that Governor Brown is a prisoner of the teachers unions. These are the same unions that are bankrolling his tax hike and likely will be out campaigning for it before November.

Meanwhile, the amount of money that the State of California spends continues to grow.  State spending is up 23% since 2000, even accounting for inflation.

Political columnist Dan Walters asks some very good questions about Proposition 30.

Why should we pay more ...

• when we already have one of the nation's highest tax burdens,

• when the Legislature is handing out raises to its staff,

• when politicians haven't curbed rapidly increasing pension costs,

• when they're wasting billions on prisons, 

• when they've shunned a spending limit,

• when they've squandered money on a hapless bullet train project and unworkable computer systems, 

• when they're spending tens of millions on illegal immigrants' college educations, and 

• most importantly – when the state is mired in recession and 2 million-plus are jobless?

Fellow Californians, I urge you to VOTE NO on PROPOSITION 30!  It's bad tax policy and an abuse of the democratic system.

See also ...

• California Secretary of State: Text of Proposition 30
  http://ag.ca.gov/cms_attachments/initiatives/pdfs/i1057_12-0009_governors_initiative_v3.pdf
• California Legislative Analysts Office: Proposition 30
  http://www.lao.ca.gov/ballot/2012/120208.aspx
• MapLight.org: California Proposition 30
  http://votersedge.org/california/ballot-measures/2012/november/prop-30/funding
  
• KCET: Prop 30 Cheat Sheet: Jerry Brown's Tax Measure
  www.kcet.org/news/ballotbrief/elections2012/propositions/prop-30-cheat-sheet-jerry-browns-tax-to.html
• KCET: Who's Funding Prop 30, Jerry Brown's Temporary Tax for Education and Guaranteed Public Safety Funding?
  www.kcet.org/news/ballotbrief/elections2012/propositions/database-whos-funding-prop-30-temporary-tax-to-fund-education.html
• Ballotpedia: California Proposition 30, Sales and Income Tax Increase (2012)
  www.ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Proposition_30,_Sales_and_Income_Tax_Increase_(2012)
• California Secretary of State: Political Committees to Support or Oppose Proposition 30
  http://cal-access.sos.ca.gov/Campaign/Measures/Detail.aspx?id=1346100&session=2011
• Election Track: Californians Working Together To Restore And Protect Public Schools, Universities And Public Safety
  www.electiontrack.com/lookup.php?committee=1346049
• Election Track: Californians To Protect Schools, Universities And Public Safety, A Ballot Measure Committee Supported By Governor Jerry Brown
  www.electiontrack.com/lookup.php?committee=1343257
• Election Track: Reclaim California's Future - Yes On Prop. 30
  www.electiontrack.com/lookup.php?committee=1347688
• Election Track: Educators And Working Families To Restore California, A Coalition Of Educators, Community Groups, And Grassroots Organizationswww.electiontrack.com/lookup.php?committee=1344079
• Dan Walters: "Censorship rears its ugly head in California Senate"
  www.sacbee.com/2012/08/10/4712081/dan-walters-censorship-rears-its.html
• Sacramento Bee:  "Viewpoints:  Prop. 30 will hurt state's economic prospects"
  http://www.sacbee.com/2012/10/06/4885977/viewpoints-prop-30-would-hurt.html
• Santa Clarita Valley Signal: "Kevin Korenthal: Prop 32, not 30, deserves your vote"
  http://www.the-signal.com/section/33/article/77367/
• Santa Cruz Sentinel: "Prop. 30 neither honest nor transparent" http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/opinion/ci_21814545/harold-griffith-prop-30-neither-honest-nor-transparent
• Daily Titan: "Prop 30 can't save California from debt" http://www.dailytitan.com/2012/10/prop-30-cant-save-california-from-debt
• CATO: "86ing the Arguments for California Props 30, 38"
  http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/86ing-the-arguments-for-california-props-30-38
• BLOG: "Was the California Senate Censorship of Proposition 30 Intentional? You Decide!"
  http://soquelbythecreek.blogspot.com/2012/08/as-reported-in-sacramento-bee-democrat.html
• BLOG: "The Hollywood and Media Hypocrisy on California Proposition 30 and Possible Media Bias"
  http://soquelbythecreek.blogspot.com/2012/08/prop30mediabiasquestions.html
• BLOG: Proposition 30 "Trigger Cuts" Threat Add Up to a Whole Lot of Nothing http://soquelbythecreek.blogspot.com/2012/10/proposition-30-trigger-cuts-add-up-to.html