State Income Tax collections

[kcjenkins]

http://taxfoundation.org/sites/taxfoundation.org/files/docs/income_collections_large.png

[BulldogTom]

That is interesting. I never saw it presented that way.

Tom

Hollister, CA

[mcb39]

But, to put that in proper perspective, you have to know how much the residents of those states are paying in sales and property tax.

[Catherine]

The same Tax Foundation also publishes a list of the states' "Tax Freedom Day" -- the date when you finally stop working for the government and start working for yourself. Massachusetts is #4 at April 25th. Only NY, CT, and NJ are worse.

I believe their state maps DO take into account property tax etc -- else NH, which has no personal income tax (as long as investment income is below $7500 or something like that) would be way lower on the list.

http://taxfoundation.org/article/map-tax-freedom-day-state-2013

[kcjenkins]

CA is trying to win the race to the top, I think, Have you seen the latest?

California to consider 'homeless bill of rights'

SACRAMENTO, CA (KCRA/CNN) - Lawmakers are considering a law that's being called the "homeless bill of rights."

The bill passed a legislative committee on Tuesday, and moves on to another committee before possibly advancing to the full state assembly.

At Cesar Chavez Park, Clarence Leonard came to California just a few days ago to get away from gambling in Las Vegas.

He's been spending his days at the park. "Nobody's never bothered me," he said.

A bill introduced by San Francisco Assemblyman Tom Ammiano would give Leonard some protections no matter where in California he winds up.

He could sit, eat, even panhandle in public places unless the city or county can provide him a place to stay and at least one year of services.

"Just being homeless is not criminal. There are behaviors that are criminal that homeless people do as well as people who are not homeless," Tom Ammiano, California State Assembly, said. "We're looking more for solutions that are not punitive but rehabilitative."

A lobbyist for the city of Sacramento says the bill would burden cities with new costs and legal liabilities.

The bill would override many city ordinances against panhandling and loitering.

Michael Champ, who works in downtown Sacramento, says it should be left up to cities.

"It seems like it would be the state imposing its will on municipalities without having a way to pay for it. Municipalities, I think should have right to determine what is OK in their areas and what services to provide and the manner in which to provide them."

Ammiano says the bill has gained support.

He has deleted parts of it that would have let the homeless urinate in public and loiter at businesses.

"We were able to reduce that opposition with the amendments that we took," he said.

The bill would also create hygiene centers: places across the state for the homeless to use restrooms and even to bathe.

Ammiano said he's still working to figure out exactly how to pay for hygiene centers.