To Tax or Not to Tax: That is the California Question

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The 50 United States have tax systems so different it-s almost impossible to meaningfully compare them. By the crudest measure, Californians pay $3500 a year, which the independent Tax Foundation calls the seventh highest tax burden in the US. As budget bills move out of committees and onto the floors of the state Senate and the Assembly, Republicans say the only way to make up for a $38 billion deficit is to cut spending. Democrats say they-re willing to make some cuts, but that tax increases will also be needed to provide the services Californians demand. Can we afford to pay more? Can we afford not to? As legislators in Sacramento debate the specifics, we-ll tackle the broader issues with the leaders of the California Taxpayers' Association and a Sacramento-based research group that analyzes policy affecting low and middle income Californians.
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LA City Council Committee on Budget and Finance

California Budget

Assembly Budget Committee

Senate Budget Committee

Los Angeles Police Department

Board of LA Police Commissioners

Rampart Division

Rampart Board of Inquiry Final Report

Credits

Host:

Warren Olney

Producer:

Frances Anderton