Posted: 11/01/2012 01:07:51 AM PDT
Halloween isn't the only scary
thing this time of year -- politics are too.
That's how Political Columnist Dan Walters on Wednesday painted this year's
election with less than a week before voters head to the polls.
"It's an odd election in some respects," he said to a room full of city and
business leaders at a Solano Economic Development Corporation breakfast.
He predicted that in California, President Barack Obama will receive the most
votes toward his re-election and it won't be any surprise that United State
Senator Dianne Feinstein will hold onto her post representing California.
He added that there were two interesting aspects added to the election
structure for this year, though, the top two candidates receiving the most votes
in the primary, regardless of political party, moved on to the regular election
and district lines were redrawn by an independent party with no regard to the
location of the incumbents.
The Sacramento Bee columnist also added that "almost certainly" the Democrats
will not regain control of the House of Representatives.
He explained that millions of dollars are being dumped into campaigns for 11
ballot measures in California and it will likely continue.
He said Gov. Jerry Brown or "Brown 2.0," as he called him, went straight to
the ballot with Proposition 30, which would increase sales tax from 7.25 percent
to 7.50 percent statewide and create four high-income tax brackets for taxpayers
with taxable incomes
exceeding $250,000, $300,000, $500,000 and $1 million.
"It isn't doing well," Walters said of the proposition. "He campaigns,
(support) goes down. He's not the best salesman for his own measure."
He added that the sales tax part of the proposition is likely to blame for it
dragging.
However, if Proposition 30 doesn't pass, there will likely be a "political
war" between counties, schools and colleges who will fight over a "shrinking pot
of money."
"It's bad tax policy," he said. "We become more dependent on a few wealthy
and their success in the stock market. ... It's dangerous."
He said the design of the proposition will last longer than Brown is in
office, but the money source has an end date.
One tax measure Walters believes is likely to pass is Proposition 39, an
income tax increase on out-of-state businesses that would not effect
California-based companies or residents.
Most of the audience, however, has already voted and that made Walters
question the need for his talk.
He admitted that elections are largely conducted by mail.
"Campaigning at the last minute is less effective," he said.
Follow Staff Writer Melissa Murphy at Twitter.com/ReporterMMurphy
