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From Senator Runner

Week In Review: Budget update - Governor vetoes illegal legislation that would have raised taxes on Californians

News of the Week
Fighting for California’s life
Remembering Those Who Serve
Parade of Pianos marches on
Local woman gets the gift of fitness
Generous donations for cancer center

As you may have read, the Democrat Legislators approved legislation on Dec. 18 that would raise taxes without the mandatory two-thirds vote required by the California Constitution.

Democrat leadership claimed they found a loophole that would allow them to essentially exchange old taxes for new fees; in other words they would reduce or eliminate some taxes and create fees as backfill revenue. In the end, Californian families and businesses would shell out another $10.8 billion in taxes.

As a preemptive strike, my Republican colleagues and I joined forces with taxpayer advocacy groups and business leaders not only to oppose the plan but to move forward with a law suit to challenge the legality of the Democrat plan. We filed suit yesterday in California’s Third District Court.

Sen. George Runner told the Capitol Press on Dec. 18 that Republicans, taxpayer advocate groups and business leaders will file suit to challenge the legality of a Democrat budget plan.
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See the entire newsletter at: Week in Review

Dear Friends:

As the year draws to a close, I want to take the time to thank you for your support throughout this past year.

It is my sincerest pleasure to represent you in the California Legislature. As we are faced with financial challenges in the upcoming year – as Californians and as a nation – I promise to continue upholding my pledge to defend the rights of taxpayers, and sponsor and support legislation that makes our neighborhoods safer, our schools accountable, and our communities prosperous.
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Week In Review: December 18, 2008

LA Planning Commission puts political interest above needs of San Fernando Valley constituents

At a time when the economy is in a downturn and when retail chains are closing doors (Mervyns, Linen ‘N Things, Circuit City, among others) you would think city leaders would embrace the few retailers that are still willing and able to invest in communities – and particularly those who are re-opening closed retail buildings.
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Note to Legislature - Slow the spending; spare the taxpayer

For years now, Republicans have understood that California government has a spending problem not a revenue problem.

Unfortunately, the Democrat legislative members (and the Governor) believe that living-within-our-means is out of the question and the real solution lies in raising taxes on California families and businesses.

My friend, Tom Del Beccaro, author of the website Political Vanguard, wrote the following excellent piece about the follies of raising taxes on the people – particularly in tough financial times.

Read it here:
http://politicalvanguard.com/index2.php?id=uglytaxincreases

Sincerely,

Sen. George Runner

Local Republicans looking at lead roles in state Legislature
This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press
Tuesday, December 2, 2008.

By JAMES RUFUS KOREN
Valley Press Staff Writer
SACRAMENTO — Two area Republicans will hold leadership roles in the state Legislature during the next term, with George Runner and Cameron Smyth locking down the Republican caucus chairmen positions in the state Senate and Assembly.
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Liberals in Sacramento are intent on punishing car owners

Hoping that taxpayers would not take notice, Democrat Legislators introduced SB 6X and AB 6X in Sacramento last week during the “Special Session” of the Legislature.

This proposal would TRIPLE the amount every California car owner pays to annually register a car – even as the economy continues to tank and as family budgets tighten evermore significantly. Happy Holidays from Sacramento liberals! (Click below to see a video of me on the Senate floor speaking against tax increases for Californians).

Join me in saying NO to this travesty! Join our Taxpayer Revolution and make your voices heard to the liberals in Sacramento who must listen to taxpayers.
Stop Car Tax

Tough choices must be made to fix the state budget mess, but tripling every Californians Car Tax is not the answer!

Sincerely,

Sen. George Runner

From the desk of Senator George Runner

Sign Up to Help! California Car Owners Oppose Liberal Legislators’ Idea to Triple the Car Tax

As the state budget crisis worsens, Democrat Legislators in Sacramento have targeted the taxpayer as the solution to the problem. Leading the list of loony ideas is the proposal to TRIPLE the California car tax.
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From the desk of Senator George Runner

Sign Up to Help! Liberals in Sacramento are intent on punishing car owners.

Under the cloak of the holiday season, liberals introduced SB 6X and AB 6X in Sacramento yesterday as a part of the “Special Session” of the Legislature prior to recently elected legislators coming to town.
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Thanksgiving Message

Dear Friends:
I hope this message finds you well as we begin the holiday season.

Despite the glum news that seems to blare nonstop on television, radio, and the Internet, we remain a very blessed nation. Even during these difficult economic times, we still have much for which to be thankful.

For one thing, our nation enjoys the peaceful transition of power. In many places around the world, opposition to the government means threats of violence and even death will be leveled against you. Here in the United States, when a party moves from the majority to the minority, it is not threatened by violence and intimidation, and still retains a voice in government.
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I sent a letter to the editor on this one. Since I no longer subscribe, one of you will have to tell me if it gets printed. I don’t think Steve Williams has been allowed to print my letters every since I got into it with Don Holland. But if he does, since I mentioned Uffer and the BOS in the letter, it may make it to Countyline. If not, I’ll post it here in a few days.

November 21, 2008 - 4:44 PM
RYAN ORR Staff Writer

At a time when stores like Mervyns and Circuit City are closing hundreds of locations, and thousands of private sector jobs are being cut, government jobs and salaries are remaining safe.

San Bernardino County registered an 9 percent unemployment rate in October, the highest rate in 15 years, according to the California Employment Development Department.
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