Just Who's Bottom Line?

As we approach the time when families get away from the normal hustle and bustle of their daily routines to take time to celebrate the birthday of our Nation, it’s worth noting that many California families will be dealing with more than just the heat of the day that we’ve come to expect.

Our families will also be facing significant costs as California’s average statewide gas price comes in at $4.12, lower than only Alaska and Hawaii. That’s not the worst of it. The recently passed California state budget not only funds the high-speed rail project, but also looks to increase gas prices by another 12 cents. Yes that is right. Not only are Californians assessed a sales tax, gas tax and excise tax every time they put gasoline in their cars, California now wants to tack on another 12 cents to the price of a gallon of gas. This at a time when even the federal government is considering an increase in their gas tax by another 12 cents! 

During the recent primary election campaign, one candidate posted signs around his district that said he was “…focused on the bottom line.” 

This raises the question of whose “bottom line” is he focused on in this difficult economic time. It’s also worth noting that when Assemblyman Cooley was given the opportunity to lend his voice against this 12 cent increase in gas prices, this representative, who has repeatedly claimed that he works to protect taxpayers in various mailers to voters, was nowhere to be found on this issue.

In fact, two different letters were sent to the Governor and the Chair of the Air Resources Board with nearly half of the State Assembly members, Republicans and Democrats alike, joining to ask the new tax increase be dropped. Our “protector of taxpayers,” Mr. Cooley was NOT one of them. 

But travel is not the only financial burden facing Californians this year as the Legislature is also considering a tax on fireworks. During the budget negotiations this year our elected officials were seeking another revenue source to fund state government and it was going to come on the backs of California families who purchase fireworks on the fourth of July. The sad part about this new tax is that it comes on the heels of the increased sales tax imposed by Proposition 30. Wasn’t Proposition 30 supposed to solve our spending problem and help our education system?

The misleading of the voters of this district needs to stop now. In truth Assemblyman Ken Cooley has done very little to “protect taxpayers.” The simple fact is that in his first year in office he has received failing grades from two statewide taxpayer organizations including the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and he continues to vote for measures that are strongly opposed by taxpayers. 

There is only one person seeking to represent the taxpayers of the 8th Assembly District and that has been endorsed by taxpayers groups. Only one who has their confidence that he will fight for taxpayers and that’s me…Doug Haaland. I’m very proud to have been endorsed by three taxpayer advocacy organizations including the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and the National Tax Limitation Committee. It’s on my website and I invite to you to check for yourself by visiting www.doughaaland.com. 

I have no doubt about whose “bottom line” I’m focused on…and that's bottom line of the hardworking families of this district and other struggling Californians.

Assembly District 8 includes the communities of Arden-Arcade, Carmichael, Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova, Rancho Murieta, Rosemont, Wilton and portions of unincorporated Sacramento County.