rickair7777

I don't like the prison guards (or teachers) undue influence in CA politics.

I do happen to agree with three (adult) strikes. I'm willing to pay to warehouse them if they simply refuse to be law abiding. I grew up when you could do repeat armed robberies and repeatedly get out in 18-24 months to try again... everybody was scared. BTD, don't need to do it again.

GogglesPisano

It's not about "dangerous criminals" anymore, Rick. The fastest-growing inmate cohort is middle-aged white males. The "War on Drugs" from years past didn't help either.

Even the Federal Government doesn't know how many laws it has on the books.

Hell, even the Koch brothers are financing reform.

Suggested reading ...

https://www.amazon.com/Three-Felonie.../dp/1594035229

highfarfast

Man, it's been forever since visiting this thread and I see all these replies so I'll add some details.

For one, this was YEARS ago. I don't remember all the details clearly. I did try to fight this but it was pre-internet so info was not readily available. If there was recourse beyond what I had tried, I didn't know it.

The modification that triggered the 'unrestricted' new valuation was a garage to bedroom modification. Supposedly making the house a four bedroom house instead of a three bedroom house. However, the conversion did not have any windows which meant it could not be a bedroom per local code. We negotiated for and paid for a three bedroom house. I budgeted our finances on this house's taxes being similar to what they had been under the previous owner. Normally, houses are limited in Texas to a certain percentage increase per year (something like 5%, don't quote me) but are unlimited when there is a change to the property effecting the value. Since the tax assessor learned of the conversion, via the sale, and considered the house to be a four bedroom house, we had a property tax increase on our house in the neighborhood of 45%.

When I tried to protest this, they did not care. It was all, "we can do this because...".

Whether I was railroaded or not, I think is irrelevant. Taxes should be based on prices paid. It's your only point of choice. You can tell me until your blue in the face about how good it is to have your property value go up. You'd be right, but it shouldn't have a damned thing to do with your taxes. You should never be presented with the question "Do I need to sell my home because the property taxes are now too high?" EVER

Dumb system.

decrabbitz

No, you cannot keep TN plates on your car in Ca. You have to register it within 30 days of entry.

You can gamble though. I drove for years with out of states plates and never got caught. Maybe helps if you have the old military gate sticker on front windshield or a hero medal on your TN license plate.

if you do register it, be prepared to be shocked...

Profane Kahuna

I still don’t see how adding a fourth bedroom can result in a property valuation 45% higher than what you paid?

Surprise

https://www.latimes.com/business/sto...cast?_amp=true

ShyGuy

In the city of Torrance (LA county) the sales tax all total is 9.5%. By state law it can be as high as 10.25%. Now they have proposed on the March 3 vote to add 3/4% to reach the max 10.25% which they say will raise 30 mil/year for "police and fire services" and "improved safety." Yet, there is NO proof it will do so and NO requirement that money go for improvements. Everyone (at least anyone smart) knows this is nothing more than to try to add towards the pension obligations. I'm tired of seeing my tax dollars go towards overly inflated and *unrealistic* pensions for public officials in California (over 100k in retirement/yr). If you were to price this retirement pension in terms of an annuity for the private sector, do you have any idea how much that would cost?!

The insanity needs to stop.

iahflyr

Pension liabilities are perhaps the biggest challenge facing states and cities all over the country. Many cities are paying over 20% of their budget towards pension liabilities. The city of Detroit was able to scale back its pension obligations, but only after bankruptcy. I wonder how all these cities/states that have budget surpluses can figure out how to reduce pension liabilities (both cutting current benefits and reducing/eliminating for future employees)

decrabbitz

It’s going to come to a head one day (soon in Ca?). Either the taxpayers are going to be thrown in to revolt over the constant tax increases, or the pensions are going to be cut, throwing the public workers into revolt. To cut the pensions, the state Constitution will have to be amended and cities will probably have to declare bankruptcy. It’s going to get ugly either way....

ShyGuy

No love loss. The rest of the ~95% population shouldn’t be punished for this benefit, which priced in an annuity for the private sector would cost in the millions per person. I respect policemen, firefighters, etc. but it is absolutely absurd to be getting $100,000+ per year in pension pay.