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Kern County Taxpayers Association
331 Truxtun Avenue
Bakersfield Ca 93301
Phone:661-322-2973
Fax:661-321-9550 |
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KERNTAX is a member-supported, non-partisan, 501(c)4 non- profit corporation, whose purpose is to bring about, through cooperative effort and communication, greater economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in government, basing its recommendations upon the analysis of facts obtained through research.
Being non-partisan, KERNTAX is politically independent, viewing matters and policies in an objective, impartial manner, and taking positions based on the Association's adopted principles. Founded in 1939, KERNTAX has had only one bias, the best interests of Kern County taxpayers.
Section 501(c)(4) of the IRS tax code is reserved for organizations operated exclusively for the promotion of social welfare. KERNTAX may engage in unlimited amounts of lobbying activity, which the IRS defines as attempts to influence legislation, but may not be primarily engaged in efforts to affect the outcomes of elections.
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QUOTE OF THE YEAR
"CHANGE IS LIKE HEAVEN: EVERYONE WANTS TO GO THERE, BUT NOBODY WANTS TO DIE," SAID CARLY FIORINA, FORMER CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF HEWLETT-PACKARD, ADDING THAT IT IS DURING THE "SEASON OF CHANGE" THAT LEADERSHIP MATTERS MOST. "LEADERSHIP IS ABOUT SEEING AND SEIZING POSSIBILITIES AND HELPING OTHERS SEE THEM AND SEIZE THEM AS WELL."
from a speech given to the Pacific Coast Builders Conference
quoted by Tom Abate, San Francisco Chronicle Staff Writer
June 25, 2008
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| Announcements |
CA Falling Behind in Science and Technology |
Posted by: mturnipseed on 07/01/2008 03:51
(Read: 3)
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CA Falling Behind in Science and Technology
By Joel Fox
Editor of Fox & Hounds and President of the Small Business Action Committee
Tuesday, July 1st, 2008
You would think that if California came out fourth in the nation in a technology and science index that would be a good thing. Since California ranks higher than 46 other states it isn’t bad, but considering the last time this index was released California ranked second there is reason for concern.
High Tech and California should go together like bread and butter. However, according to the Milken Institute’s 2008 State Technology and Science Index California fell further behind number one ranked Massachusetts since the last study was released four years ago. |
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The Concept of Overmatch and Request for Committee of the Whole Meeting |
Posted by: mturnipseed on 06/29/2008 04:39
(Read: 3)
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Comments to the Kern County Board of Supervisors
The Concept of Overmatch and Request for Committee of the Whole Meeting
By Michael Turnipseed, Kern County Taxpayers Association
June 24, 2008
When looking at local government spending in any budget year, it is appropriate to review mandated expenditures vs. discretionary expenditures. It is essential for your Board and the public to understand what amount of government spending is required and what amount is truly optional. It is within the optional amount where public input and Board leadership should prioritize where our scarce tax dollars are spent, what outcomes are expected, and what results have been achieved in the past.
The recent Board discussion regarding "overmatch" has been useful, at least to some degree. Unfortunately, this concept seems to be focused only upon social and health services departments. Accordingly, this understates and misrepresents the total "unfunded mandate" that consumes the county's limited discretionary funds. Without all the facts, we cannot have a meaningful discussion regarding the scope of options this Board must consider during this year’s budget adoption process. |
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THE KERN COUNTY BUDGET PROCESS |
Posted by: mturnipseed on 06/29/2008 04:38
(Read: 2)
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Comments to the Kern County Board of Supervisors
Budget Process
By Michael Turnipseed Executive Director
Kern County Taxpayers Association
May 27, 2008
Chairman Rubio, Members of the Board, I am Michael Turnipseed, representing the Kern County Taxpayers Association.
If you believe the Conventional wisdom, which says that our current “fiscal crisis" is a two or three year event - so the County should just temporarily tightly manage its expenses until things "get better," the Kern County Taxpayers Association has bad news for you.
We believe that the County of Kern - if it remains on its current course - faces a permanent, long term structural fiscal imbalance every bit as real and intractable as that of the State of California. This structural problem is a function of escalating costs: retirement costs have increased $65 million dollars per year during the past four years, this year’s salary increases ranged from 4 to 38 percent, and exceeded budgeted amounts by at least $36 million, energy costs are predicted to continue their increase and few, if any, productivity increases are currently on the horizon. Recent efforts to increase the pay of county workers, in the name of job retention, have dramatically increased the county’s cost per unit of production -- and absent structural reform - we face the downward spiral of escalating labor costs and a lower level of services. |
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RESOLUTION ON LOCAL TAX & FEE INCREASES |
Posted by: mturnipseed on 06/29/2008 04:34
(Read: 2)
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RESOLUTION ON LOCAL TAX & FEE INCREASES
Adopted by the Kern County Taxpayers Association Board of Directors
May 15, 2008
WHEREAS, the Kern County Taxpayers Association advocates a pro-growth, pro-jobs policy agenda, favors a reasonable and equitable tax burden on citizens and businesses, and supports efforts to develop and sustain a positive business climate in the Greater Bakersfield area, the County of Kern, and throughout the State of California; and
WHEREAS, the Kern County Taxpayers Association, in its role as advocate for the taxpayers of Kern County, has an obligation to champion open and accountable local government; and
WHEREAS, local governments are facing the combined pressures of the loss of revenues due to the state budget deficit, increased costs due to increased service demand, and are left to fund the majority of local infrastructure improvements; and |
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RESOLUTION ON STATE BUDGET DEFICIT |
Posted by: waznu on 06/23/2008 01:57
(Read: 7)
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RESOLUTION ON STATE BUDGET DEFICIT
Adopted by the Kern County Taxpayers Association Board of Directors
May 15, 2008
WHEREAS, the Kern County Taxpayers Association advocates a pro-growth, pro-prosperity policy agenda, favors a reasonable and equitable tax burden on citizens and businesses, and supports efforts to develop and sustain a positive business climate both in Kern County and throughout the State of California; and
WHEREAS, a positive business climate – including business creation, expansion, and attraction, as well as the recruitment and retention of a quality workforce – is intrinsically tied not only to economic factors but also to our citizens’ overall quality of life; and |
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