The Service Employees International Union (SEIU), one of the largest recipients of government spending in California, has been putting the following questionnaire in front of candidates for the legislature:
Do you support increasing corporate taxes in order to strengthen and expand public services and create the conditions for all Californians to thrive? If so, please explain and give examples of the kinds of corporate revenue measures you would support?
Do you support increasing taxes on the wealthiest Californians in order to create a more equitable California? If so, please explain and give examples of the kinds of tax policies you would support that would help rebalance our society.
You can’t blame SEIU for doing so. That’s its job. But California already has too little to show for its existing high taxes; e.g.:
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Despite a doubling in spending per K-12 pupil over the last decade, pupil performance hasn’t budged and several school districts are in financial distress;
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Spending on pension and other post-employment costs more than tripled;
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UC and CSU receive smaller shares of the General Fund despite greater student populations while the Corrections Department collects a higher share despite a smaller inmate population.
Special interests will always press their cases. Defenders of the general interest must perpetually do the same. That’s why we are the largest bundler of direct political donations to legislators:
And that’s why we spend an additional $2.8 million per year on staff and lobbyists to maintain a muscular presence in Sacramento:
California became poorly governed not because special interests are so strong but because defenders of the general interest were so weak. GFC was launched 11 years ago to alter that balance of power. If you’ve got a better idea, do it. If not, join us. No standing on the sidelines.
