California may extend a ‘temporary’ tax of Prop. 30. Big surprise

To the editor: California voters, beware: You are again getting hoodwinked by Gov. Jerry Brown, the Democratic state Legislature and public employee unions on Proposition 55, an extension of Proposition 30’s “temporary” income tax hike on the wealthiest Californians. (“Can Gov. Jerry Brown keep the promises he made with Proposition 30?” July 3)

We believed the governor in 2012 when he promised the tax increases were temporary. If voters pass Proposition 55 in November, it will allow the governor and the Legislature to kick the can down the road and delay much-needed tax reform.

California’s budget relies on the “wealthy” for much of it revenue. Income that is taxed as lower long-term capital gains at the federal level is taxed as ordinary income in California and is progressive up to 12.3%. Here, the top 1% of income earners account for about half of all state revenue. When the economy sours, the state is of course short of money, so there are calls to raise income taxes on the top 1%.

If Proposition 55 is approved, we will again allow the governor and the Legislature to avoid long-term tax reform, perhaps until 2030 when the new “temporary” tax will expire.

George Orff, Laguna Beach

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook