Yes on 26: No taxation without due legislation

By Brandi Blassingille

Ask any adult who receives a pay check, "What is the most annoying thing about receiving that slip on pay day?" and their answer will almost unanimously be, "The damn taxes."

Californians, like almost all people, would rather hang on to their money than give it to the state government.

According to the California voter guide, passing Proposition 26 would change the definition of taxes "to include many payments currently considered to be fees or charges."

As a result, more state and local proposals to increase revenues would require approval by two-thirds majority of each house of the legislature or by local voters.

Those against Prop. 26 would have you believe that this is a bad thing; that it will slow down legislature and lead to environmental issues after corporations are no longer levied fees for releasing carbon emissions into the atmosphere.

In reality, however, Prop. 26, if passed, will be a beneficial measure in line with the traditional ideals of American democracy.

In our recent legislative history, California taxpayers have not supplied the constitutionally necessary two-thirds vote for proposed new taxes in many areas. Government officials have instead turned to "fees" to get the revenue that they could not raise from the new taxes.

Proposition 26 is a step towards removing this loophole from the system; it forces our government to gain a wider majority when taking taxpayer dollars.

Opponents would have you believe that the proposition would slow the legislative process to a halt. In reality, yes, it would somewhat slow down the passage of tax-issue legislation, but definitely not to a halt.

Is this "slow down" not a fundamental principle of our democracy?

We put in place checks and balances on those in office to secure our life, liberty and property from tyranny of any majority or minority in government.

As the independent Legislative Analyst's Office pointed out, "by expanding the scope of what is considered a tax, the measure would make it more difficult for state and local governments to pass new laws that raise revenues."

Government should have to work harder to get extra money from taxpayers, especially after they have squandered our money in the past.

In addition, some have made the argument that corporations will be able to easily manipulate and split up the democrats and republicans in state government and, as a result, normal fees imposed upon polluting businesses for carbon emission will go un-passed.

However, whether or not these fees and taxes are passed, proponents point out that California already has some of the nation's strictest laws which hold accountable those who harm the environment.

These stringent laws will not change with of Prop. 26; the natural world will not go down in flames as a result of the passage of this proposition. Prop. 26 holds politicians accountable. It requires them to prove what they need taxpayer dollars for, before the money is so easily forked over.

It is about giving the voters the right to deny a tax increase once and for all, instead of having it pop up as a fee later on.

In the end, the choice comes down to whether or not you believe that you, as a taxpayer, should have to pay for the fiscal mistakes of irresponsible politicians.

I don't think so. If you don't either, then vote Yes on Prop. 26 and hold politicians accountable.

Brandi Blassingille is a junior political science major.