SACRAMENTO - May 20, 2010 - Stop
Hidden Taxes, a broad based coalition sponsored by CalChamber, CalTax and
supported by CAWA, has submitted over 1.1 signatures to quality for
the November 2010 General Election ballot. This initiative would
stop the politicians at both the state and local level from imposing
hidden taxes on Californians just by calling them fees.
For years, politicians have been using a loophole in the law to raise
taxes on products and services we use every day simply by calling them
"fees" instead of "taxes." California's Constitution requires the
Legislature to pass or increase taxes only with a two-thirds vote.
But, the politicians in Sacramento use a gimmick to get around this
constitutional requirement by calling their taxes "fees," which only need
a simple majority to pass.
"This initiative will help stop politicians from using
a loophole in the law to pass hidden taxes on consumers, forcing them to
control their wasteful spending," stated Rodney K. Pierini, CAWA President
& CEO. "CAWA is supporting this initiative and urges CAWA
members and other industry organizations and businesses to join this
important effort."
Hidden taxes can be found on the local level too.
Most local tax increases require a public vote. Politicians get
around this requirement by disguising taxes as "fees," which can be
enacted without voter approval.
The Stop Hidden Taxes initiative will require most fees
to be treated as taxes and close this loophole at both the state and local
level.
For more information contact Jennifer Zins, CAWA's
Director of Government Affairs at 916-871-0603 or
Jennifer@pzallc.com.
Founded in 1955, CAWA is a nonprofit trade organization
representing automotive jobbers, warehouse distributors, retailers,
manufacturers and manufacturers' representatives in California, Nevada,
and Arizona. CAWA's mission is to provide communications, education,
legislative and regulatory advocacy and group purchasing of services for
its members while promoting the automotive aftermarket industry.
For additional information about CAWA and
for the latest industry news, go to www.cawa.org.
