Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tax Reform Republican CA Governor

Our economy is 21st century & our tax system is 20th century

Our economy is diverse, whereas our tax system is not; 144,000 taxpayers pay almost 50% of all personal income taxes. Now, think about that--38 million Californians have to rely on 144,000 people for their schools, their public safety and so many other services. That makes absolutely no sense.

Now, here is what we need to accept. Our economy is 21st century and our tax system is 20th century. It is stuck in the wrong century.

The Tax Reform Commission proposed major, radical reforms. Now, some people right away said they are too bold and thu they would be too hard to enact. Now, what do they mean too bold? Bold is what we do in California. And what do they mean too hard? If I had hesitated in my career every time I made a move because it was too hard, I would still be yodeling in Austria.

Californians are overtaxed; find a better way

It’s unfair to accept the notion that hitting taxpayers up for more money is the answer to our state’s budget and economic problems. Politicians in Sacramento should find a better way to turn things around-not simply shift the burden of their mistakes onto the backs of taxpayers.

Fight any attempt to roll back Proposition 13

Pledges against raising taxes, except in emergencies

“I don’t believe in spending. The first thing I would do when I go into Sacramento is put a spending cap on those politicians, because they just can’t help themselves, they’re addicts, they should go to an addiction place because it’s ridiculous to spend money they don’t have,” he said.

The candidate said he would be willing to take a pledge stating that barring any state emergencies, he would not raise taxes on California residents.

Rescind the car tax; believes in lower taxes

$12B in federal economic stimulus as state block grants.

The nation's governors urge you to include state countercyclical funding as part of your legislation to stimulate the economy. This would include $6 billion in Medicaid assistance by freezing scheduled federal FMAP reductions and increasing all states' F Congress approved $20 billion in assistance to states, including $10 billion in Medicaid and $10 billion in block grants. The governors' current stimulus proposal is essentially the same, with the exception that it is a total of $12 billion as opposed to $20 billion. This proposal can be enacted quickly, as there is precedent and it is timely, temporary and targeted.

Additionally, governors appreciate federal efforts to use tax policy to get additional money into the hands of consumers and businesses to stimulate the economy. When considering tax changes to spur economic growth, governors urge Congress and the Administration to follow the maxim of "Do no harm" by avoiding changes at the federal level that would diminish state tax revenues or force state actions that would undermine the effectiveness of federal efforts.

We look forward to working with you to enact the appropriate stimulus program.