How much of a tax raise would be needed to close the

[Betsy Ross]

budget gap? I know the Repubs say no to any tax increase but it seems the best way out. Would a rate increase of 1% do it? Or do we need a progressive increase?

[mike_c]

1. it depends on how broadly the tax burden is spread out...

...i.e., on who pays the tax. I don't know the answer to your question-- it's just that no such single number exists.

[petronius]

2. I could be reading it wrong, and I'm not economist, but this table

http://www.ebudget.ca.gov/pdf/BudgetSummary/BS_SCH8.pdf

shows estimated general fund revenues for 2008. It looks like personal income tax brought in $47 billion to the state, which would mean that we'd need to boost income tax by ~50% to get another $24 billion.

Including both the general and special funds, all taxes and fees brought us $104 billion last year. A $24 billion shortfall would be a quarter of that.

I'm probably greatly overestimating the tax increase needed, because I don't think the $24 billion refers to a longer time span than just one year, but I don't see how a tax increase alone could be a fix (and 1% would definitely not do it). On the other hand, cutting 25% of our budget appears equally impossible, so I don't see how a tax raise is avoidable...

[Betsy Ross]

3. Thanks for the numbers. Much appreciated.

We really need a tax increase along with budget cuts. Both parties need to compromise on the budget. I just hate to see the social and health programs take the huge hit.

[slackmaster]

4. All they really need to do is increase the fine for using a hand-held phone while driving to $1,000

Then get out there and enforce the bejeepers out of the law.

[mp9200]

5. A lot?

I have no idea, really.