Dear Supervisors and the Public,

We have indicated our preliminary suggested changes in red below. Also, we request more time for the public to review this plan before acceptance.

In general, we feel the Board of Supervisors should focus on policy while allowing the details of administration of that policy to be controlled by the CAO.

We recommend use of clear language with clear meanings.

We think the private provision of public services (such as Feeney Park) promotes public participation and has worked well. This should be promoted wherever possible.

Consider reducing the size of county government and taxes by privatizing public services when improvement and savings are apparent.

Retirement and health plans should be funded by contributions from the employee not by present or future taxpayers.

Above all else, do no harm. 

 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Vision

Calaveras County is a safe and healthy community with a diverse, prosperous, and

sustainable economy, offering a good quality of life, while preserving the natural

environment, local history, and culture, and protecting the citizens’ rights to liberty and property.

Mission

While adhering to the Oath of Office to defend the Constitution of the United States of America and the Constitution of the State of California;

The mission of Calaveras County government is to ensure that all residents receive high quality, efficient and effective government services in a responsive and accountable manner.

Budget Principles

1. Make rational and conservative revenue estimates.

2. Avoid non-recurring solutions to ongoing expenses.

3. Maintain costs by controlling personnel and material expenditures.

4. Minimize General Fund contribution to Non-General Fund Programs.

5. Maximizing public safety is the highest spending priority.

6. Strive for "healthy" reserves and a 3% to 4% or better contingency fund.

7. Don't believe or count-on promises from the State or Federal governments until they materialize.

8. Never allocate more funding than anticipated incoming funds will cover.

Goals and Strategic Objectives

Goal 1: Protect and promote a healthy environment.

Strategic Objectives:

1.1. Support and protect the natural environment by leveraging recreation and leisure

resources and activities.

1.2. Support a healthy built environment by developing and implementing programs,

policies and standards.

1.3. Protect the environment by promoting healthy lifestyle choices.

Goal 2: Provide and maintain infrastructure to meet the county's current and future

capacity needs.

Strategic Objectives:

2.1. Provide adequate funding, recover costs, and reduce pressure on the county General Fund by reviewing and improving fee structures while taking care not to use the guise of fees to create new taxes.

2.2.  Do not use Fees for General fund needs.

2.3. Ensure effective use of resources by planning and managing capital projects that

strengthen physical infrastructure.

2.4. Improve technology infrastructure countywide by planning, funding, and implementing technology improvements both in county government and for residents.

Goal 3: Ensure the safety and constitutional rights of the community members.

Strategic Objectives:

3.1. Help to prevent crime, protect property and reduce recidivism.

3.2. Improve communications capacity for Sheriff and emergency responders and encourage community support for law enforcement.

3.3. Develop business continuity plan in case of disaster.

Goal 4: Support the health and well-being of the community.

Strategic Objectives:

4.1. Promote health and wellness by preventing disease and injury and by supporting

wellness and recovery.

4.2. Promote strong and stable families by increasing self-sufficiency, personal responsibility and by reducing child and dependent adult abuse and neglect.

4.3. Support education and public awareness by supporting and promoting availability of library resources.

Goal 5: Continuously improve county customer service business practices.

Strategic Objectives:

5.1. Improve customer service through staff training for increased sensitivity, commonsense approaches, good judgment, compassion and common respect.

5.2. Ensure efficient use of resources by facilitating efficiencies in work processes and

Systems and the use of technology. .

5.3. Proactively strengthen the workforce by recruiting, retaining, and training staff.

Strategic Plan Calaveras County

5.4 Resist pointless overly officious regulations and procedures which can destroy our society by a million small cuts.

5.5 Utilize wise government, not blind government.

This to report on recent activity and to forward comments by Jon Coupel, HJTA President.

We attended the FOCUS group meeting last week in Murphys, a Realtors BOD meeting this week and the Building Association luncheon today. Our Board will have a retreat on Tuesday 10-3-09 to develop a CCTA Action Plan for next year

The FOCUS meeting promoted the idea that capitalism is dead and we must set up communes to grow our food etc. It is interesting that they cited "The Creature From Jeckle Island" which detailed how a conspiracy of bankers set up the Federal Reserve. They were not aware that there is a movement to end the FED and return to a sound currency. They also believe in the Global Warming hoax.

The Realtors indicated that they would be interested in seeing something in writing about a "Prosperity Coalition" to suggest reforms to protect property rights and trade.

The Builders also are interested in more information about a possible coalition. Items of interest discussed by a panel of 4 department heads:  They are not interested in a dialog with the public on new recommendations prior to submission to the BOD. The "Access Issue" is not resolved. They don't know why there are hundreds of applications waiting for action. The department heads are working together and meeting every two weeks. Good meeting.

We need your nominations for our Excellence In Public Service Award.  Also, your thoughts on what we should be doing in 2010.

Now a few words from our friend Jon. - Al

October 23, 2009
---------------------------------------------------------------------

It's Scary Season for Homeowners

By Jon Coupal

When you start to see jack-o'-lanterns around the neighborhood, you know that something scary is about to arrive at your house.  That's right, it's property tax season.

Fortunately, as a direct result of Proposition 13, which limits
increases in a property's assessed value to two percent annually, most property owners have a good idea what their bill will be even before opening the envelope. Still, every year at this time, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association recommends that taxpayers carefully examine their latest property tax bill. Although not common, assessors do make mistakes.

Taxpayers should understand the various charges and make certain that they are not being dunned for more than they are legally obligated to pay. The best way to check a tax bill is to have your previous year's bill handy for reference.

Checking the bill is especially important for those who bought their homes within the last five years at the height of the market. If the current home value is actually lower than the assessed value shown on the tax bill, the owner is entitled to file for a reduction in the taxes.

Typically, the property tax bill will show three categories of
charges. They are the General Tax Levy, Voted Indebtedness, and Direct Assessments.

General Tax Levy

The General Tax Levy is what most people think of when talking about property taxes. It is based on the assessed value of land, improvements and fixtures. This charge usually makes up the largest part of the tax bill and it is the amount that is limited by Proposition 13.

Proposition 13, passed overwhelmingly by voters in 1978, established a statewide uniform tax rate of one percent of assessed value at the time of purchase and limited annual increases in assessed value to no more than two percent. From a practical standpoint, this means that once the base year value of your property is established, the
General Tax Levy cannot be increased more than two percent each year. This allows all property owners to predict their property tax bills into the future and budget accordingly.

The best way to check to make sure that your current General Levy of Assessment is correct is to compare it with the previous year's bill. The increase should be no more than two percent unless there have been improvements to the property like adding a room to the house.

This bears repeating: Because of the current decline in property values in California, many recent homebuyers are entitled to a reduction in their property tax bill to an amount even lower than their home's Proposition 13 adjusted base value. Although the reduction is temporary -- taxes will go up again when the property egains value -- the savings are permanent.

If in doubt about the current value of your property, check sales of comparable homes in your neighborhood. If homes like yours are selling for less than the valuation on your latest bill, contact your county assessor and ask that the value and resulting tax be adjusted to reflect true current value.

Voted Indebtedness

Voted Indebtedness is made up of those bonds and per parcel taxes approved by the voters.

Local general obligation bonds for libraries, parks, police and fire facilities and other capital improvements are repaid exclusively by property owners. Because a minority of the population is required to pay the entire amount, the California Constitution of 1879 established the two-thirds vote for approval of these bonds. This assures a strong community consensus before obligating property owners to repay debt for 20 or 30 years.

Until the year 2000, local school bonds also required a two-thirds vote, but the passage of Proposition 39 -- backed by a small group of wealthy Silicon Valley businessmen -- lowered the vote to 55 percent. Because the 55 percent requirement guarantees that most school bonds will pass, regardless of merit, many homeowners are seeing a significant increase in the Voted Indebtedness column on
their tax bills.

Less common than bonds are per parcel taxes. These are taxes on property ownership, not on property value. Under Proposition 13, they require a two-thirds vote and are also listed either under Voted Indebtedness if they are being imposed to repay bonds or under "Other Levies" if they are for operational expenses of a local government entity.

Direct Assessments

Ironically, under the system in place for over a century, property taxes go into the general fund and are used for local services unrelated to property. For services to property, such as sidewalks and sewers, we pay extra. These charges are known as direct assessments.

Because of Proposition 218 -- the Right to Vote on Taxes Act, placed on the ballot by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association in 1996 -- property owners must be given a meaningful say in approving new assessments. Before an assessment can be imposed, or increased, property owners must be informed in writing and be given the opportunity to cast a protest vote on the new assessment or assessment increase.

If you have a question about your property tax bill you should
contact the office of your county assessor. It's your money and you have a right to be certain that your bill is correct.


Jon Coupal is president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association -- California's largest grass-roots taxpayer organization dedicated to the protection of Proposition 13 and the advancement of taxpayers' rights.

Find this column online at:
http://www.hjta.org/california-commentary/its-scary-season-homeowners

JOIN HJTA
If you are not already a member
of HJTA you can join online at
http://www.HJTA.org/join-us

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You can contribute to HJTA
online via our secure page at
http://www.HJTA.org/donatenow

Here are a few of the particulars in Obama's health care reform bill along with a link to the bill so you can check it yourself.

http://waysandmeans.house.gov/media/pdf/111/hrdraft.pdf


Shock: Inside the Healthcare Bill


Page 22 of the HC Bill MANDATES the Government will audit books of ALL EMPLOYERS that self insure!!

Page 30 Sec 123 of HC bill - THERE WILL BE A GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE that decides what treatments/benefits you get.

Page 29 lines 4-16 in the HC bill - YOUR HEALTH CARE IS RATIONED!!!

Page 42 of HC Bill - The Health Choices Commissioner will choose your HC Benefits 4 you. You have no choice!

Page 50 Section 152 in HC bill - HC will be provided to ALL non US citizens, illegal or otherwise

Page 58HC Bill - Government will have real-time access to individual finances & a National ID Healthcard will be issued!

Pg 59 HC Bill lines 21-24 Government will have direct access to your banks accounts for electronic funds transfer

PG 65 Sec 164 is a payoff subsidized plan for retirees and their families in Unions & community orgs (ACORN).

Pg 72 Lines 8-14 Government is creating an HC Exchange to bring private HC plans under Government control.

PG 84 Sec 203 HC bill - Government mandates ALL benefit packages for private HC plans in the Exchange

PG 85 Line 7 HC Bill - Specs for of Benefit Levels for Plans = The Government will ration your Healthcare!

PG 91 Lines 4-7 HC Bill - Government mandates linguistic appropriate services. Example - Translation for illegal aliens

Pg 95 HC Bill Lines 8-18 The Government will use groups i.e., ACORN & Americorps to sign up individuals for Government HC plan

PG 85 Line 7 HC Bill - Specs of benefit levels for Plans. #AARP members - your Health care WILL be rationed

PG 102 Lines 12-18 HC Bill - Medicaid Eligible Individuals will be automatically enrolled in Medicaid. No choice

pg 124 lines 24-25 HC No company can sue the government on price fixing. No "judicial review" against Government Monopoly.

pg 127 Lines 1-16 HC Bill - Doctors/ #AMA - The Government will tell YOU what you can make.

Pg 145 Line 15-17 An Employer MUST auto enroll employees into public option plan. NO CHOICE

Pg 126 Lines 22-25 Employers MUST pay for HC for part time employees AND their families

Pg 149 Lines 16-24 ANY Employer with payroll 401k & above who does not provide public option pays 8% tax on all payroll

pg 150 Lines 9-13 Business with payroll between 251k & 400k who doesn't provide public option pays 2-6% tax on all payroll

Pg 167 Lines 18-23 ANY individual who doesn’t have acceptable HC according to Government will be taxed 2.5% of income.

Pg 170 Lines 1-3 HC Bill Any NONRESIDENT Alien is exempt from individual taxes. (Americans will pay)

Pg 195 HC Bill -officers & employees of HC Administration (GOVT) will have access to ALL Americans finances and personal records.

PG 203 Line 14-15 HC - "The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax" Yes, it says that

Pg 239 Line 14-24 HC Bill Government will reduce physician services for Medicaid. Seniors, low income, poor affected

Pg 241 Line 6-8 HC Bill - Doctors, doesn’t matter what specialty you have, you'll all be paid the same

PG 253 Line 10-18 Government sets value of a Doctor's time, professional judgment, etc. Literally, value of humans.

PG 265 Sec 1131Government mandates & controls productivity for private HC industries

PG 268 Sec 1141 Federal Government regulates rental & purchase of power driven wheelchairs

PG 272 SEC. 1145. TREATMENT OF CERTAIN CANCER HOSPITALS - Cancer patients - welcome to rationing!

Page 280 Sec 1151 The Government will penalize hospitals for what Government deems preventable readmissions.

Pg 298 Lines 9-11 Doctors, treat a patient during initial admission that results in a re-admission the Government will penalize you.

Pg 317 L 13-20 PROHIBITION on ownership/investment. Government tells Doctors what/how much they can own.

Pg 317-318 lines 21-25,1-3 PROHIBITION on expansion- Government is mandating hospitals cannot expand

pg 321 2-13 Hospitals have opt to apply for exception BUT community input required. Can you say ACORN?!!

Pg335 L 16-25 Pg 336-339 - Government mandates establishment of outcome based measures. HC the way they want. Rationing

Pg 341 Lines 3-9 Government has authority to disqualify Medicare Adv Plans, HMOs, etc. Forcing peeps in to Government plan

Pg 354 Sec 1177 - Government will RESTRICT enrollment of Special needs people!

Pg 379 Sec 1191 Government creates more bureaucracy - Telehealth Advisory Committee. Can you say HC by phone?

PG 425 Lines 4-12 Government mandates Advance Care Planning Consultation. Think Senior Citizens end of life

Pg 425 Lines 17-19 Government will instruct & consult regarding living wills, durable powers of attorney Mandatory!

PG 425 Lines 22-25, 426 Lines 1-3 Government provides approved list of end of life resources, guiding you in death

PG 427 Lines 15-24 Government mandates program for orders for end of life. The Government has a say in how your life ends

Pg 429 Lines 1-9 An "advance care planning consult" will be used frequently as patients health deteriorates

PG 429 Lines 10-12 "advance care consultation" may include an ORDER for end of life plans. AN ORDER from government.

Pg 429 Lines 13-25 - The government will specify which Doctors can write an end of life order.

PG 430 Lines 11-15 The Government will decide what level of treatment you will have at end of life

Pg 469 - Community Based Home Medical Services=Non profit orgs. Hello, ACORN Medical Services here!!?

Page 472 Lines 14-17 PAYMENT TO COMMUNITY-BASED ORG. 1 monthly payment to a community-based org. Like ACORN?

PG 489 Sec 1308 The Government will cover Marriage & Family therapy. Which means they will insert Government into your marriage

Pg 494-498 Government will cover Mental Health Services including defining, creating, rationing those services

Sonora and Camino Mills to Close

March 23, 2009

We recently informed you that Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI) will close its small-log sawmill located in Quincy, California on May 4, 2009.  Sadly, we are announcing today that we will also close our mills in Sonora and Camino.  In total, 310 workers (164 at Camino, 146 at Sonora) will be affected by these closures.  This includes the electric power generation plant in Sonora.

There are a number of specific reasons for these mill closures and they fall into two categories – extremely low lumber prices and a costly and difficult regulatory environment.  First, the downturn in new home construction has reduced both the demand for lumber and the price SPI receives for its finished products.  Second, there has been a fall-off in the amount of national forest and private timber for sale in this area, causing uncertainty of supply.  Third, the Timber Harvest Plan review process has become so complex and costly that plan approval has slowed dramatically. 

We anticipate that the Camino plant will run until about June 12, and the Sonora sawmill and electric power plant will run until sometime in mid-July to deplete existing log decks.  Although these are considered “permanent” closures, we will keep the equipment in place and operational if conditions change.   However, at this point there are no plans to restart the mills in the foreseeable future.

These plant closures will put many hard working people out of their jobs.  It is unfortunate that California is still importing most of its lumber used in home construction from places with lower environmental standards.  We hope the time will come when more of the lumber needed in this state is produced in California’s mills.

We sincerely appreciate the commitment of our employees at these mills.  They are both good mills that have remained solid performers.  Unfortunately, factors beyond our control have forced us to make this very difficult decision.

Affected employees will be considered for other potential opportunities within the company for those who are interested in relocating or transferring.  

Red, George, and Mark

CALAVERAS COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AGENDA SUBMITTAL

BOARD MEETING AGENDA

Receive draft Agriculture and Forestry

Element to the General Plan Update; Provide February 10, 2009

Agriculture and Forestry Element into the General

Dept: Environmental Management Supervisorial District Number

Contact: Agency All

Phone: Mary Mutz, Agricultural

Commissioner

754-6504 ext 3 .. ~..._--~--~_._--- ~,~ --~~--~----~-,--~-~-~ ._--------~--". '---'-'--~

Published Notice Required? Yes: No: X

Public Hearing Required? Yes: No: x

DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:

Environmental Management Agency staff recommends the Board:

1) Receive the draft Agriculture and Forestry Element prepared by the Agricultural

Coalition,

2) Direct appropriate staff to work with the Agricultural Coalition and Mintier Harnish to

further refine and prepare the Agriculture and Forestry Element to be included into

the General Plan Update,

SUMMARY:

The Board recently directed its General Plan update contractor (Mintier Harnish) to continue

development of the County's General Plan Update, Since initiation of the update beginning in

2006, the Board has directed the incorporation of two "optional" elements to be separate

elements, These elements include the Water and Economic Development elements, The

Agricultural Coalition is also proposing that another optional element be added as a separate

element, namely the Agriculture and Forestry Element

The Agricultural Coalition consisting of representatives from the Calaveras County Cattlemen's

Association, Calaveras County Farm Bureau, Calaveras Grown, and the Calaveras Wine-grape

Alliance is a group of agriculturalists who advocate for agricultural interests in Calaveras

County, The Coalition believes the attached final draft of the Agriculture and Forestry Element

is ready to be provided to Mintier Harnish for review for edit and inclusion into the new General

Plan, The Department submits this draft at this time to avoid any delays of the General Plan

update due to inclusion of this Element

FINANCING:

To date, county funds have not been used in consulting services as part of the development of

this final draft Agriculture and Forestry Element However, staff have spent time working on the

final revisions of the document Any additional costs that may be incurred by Mintier Harnish

related to the inclusion of an Agriculture and Forestry Element are unknown at this time,

Board of Supervisors Agenda Submittal

Subject: Direction to staff regarding the inclusion of an Ag Element into the General Plan Update

Date: February 10, 2009 - Page 2

DISCUSSION:

On August 5, 2008, the Agricultural Coalition submitted to the Board, a draft version of an

Agriculture and Forestry Element to be included into the General Plan Update. On that date,

the Board directed staff to work with the Agricultural Coalition in reviewing and editing the

document so it reflects the format and direction of the new General Plan.

Per Board direction, staff has met with the Agricultural Coalition numerous times to update and

improve the content of the Agriculture and Forestry Element. The Agricultural Coalition recently

met with Robert Sellman, then Director of Planning, and John Taylor, Interim Director of the

Community Development Agency, to review and edit the content of the Agriculture and Forestry

Element. The Agricultural Coalition believes that inclusion of this Element into the new General

Plan will greatly help protect agricultural lands and sustain agricultural operations while

maintaining Calaveras County's rural character.

Members of the Agricultural Coalition will be addressing the Board on various aspects of the

draft Agriculture and Forestry Element and answering any questions the Board may have

concerning the document.

ALTERNATIVES:

1. Accept the draft Agriculture and Forestry Element from the Agricultural Coalition as

presented, and direct the preparation of a separate Agriculture and Forestry

Element. Staff is not recommending this alternative because the document should

be reviewed by Mintier Harnish for content and applicability and the Board will

ultimately need to determine as to whether to consider an additional separate

element.

2. Deny the recommendation of the Agricultural Coalition and direct staff to proceed

with the General Plan update without incorporating the contents of the draft

Agriculture and Forestry Element. This alternative is not recommended because the

elimination of agricultural land protection policies will lead to the removal of land for

food production, hasten development and destroy the County's rural character.

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:

The University of California Cooperative Extension Director acted as the facilitator for the

document by coordinating meetings and editing the proposed Element.

The Community Development Agency reviewed the content of the draft Agriculture and Forestry

Element for formatting, redundancy and legal implications, without taking a position on whether

it should or should not be a separate element of the general plan.

County Counsel's office did a limited review for the purpose of identifying legal issues only and

does not make any recommendation.

Board of Supervisors Agenda Submittal

SUbject: Direction to staff regarding the inclusion of an Ag Element into the General Plan Update

Date: February 10, 2009 - Page 3

Executive Summary

• According to the 2008-09 budget, Calaveras government has been running structural deficits and is in jeopardy of running out of cash next year if changes are not made. Efforts should be made to cut costs, and to grow the tax base through pro-business policies.

• Counties all around the state are in similar predicaments, but tend only to focus on cost cutting rather than address policies that inhibit economic growth.

• The Calaveras unemployment rate is 9.5% and well ahead of the state average 8.2%.

• Hindrance rather than help is coming from the State of California while it grapples with its own insolvencies for years to come. Consequently, Calaveras must take unilateral action to strengthen its local economy.

• Inflation, interest rates and unemployment should rise substantially in the decade ahead due to the size and magnitude of the nation’s debts. The federal government has only two choices regarding its debts and entitlement liabilities: 1) change the rules (i.e. default), and/or 2) inflate the money supply to pay its debts with depreciating currency.

• Short-term solutions for Calaveras government include cost cutting, but long-term investment must be made the priority.

• Development projects currently before the Planning Department should be acted upon without delay to put local residents to work and increase tax revenues.

• The Ridge at Trinitas stands out as uniquely positioned to contribute to county revenue shortfalls almost immediately. It also offers dozens of new jobs to local residents at a time when unemployment is the number one economic concern.

Complete Report Here: Economic Report 12-08-08.pdf 

On Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008, automaker bailout bill H.R. 7321 was introduced in the House and swiftly passed 273-170 on the same day. The Senate is set to vote on the bill by today (12-12-08) in what is expected to be a close vote.

The auto bailout would make $14 billion in loans available to the big three automakers in order to help them avoid Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring. The measure would allow restructuring in a way that preserves the automakers' ability to deduct from future profits billions in past losses if approved by a new “car czar” or board of bureaucrats that would rule over the car industry. The government would also receive a warrant and the option of getting non-voting stock in participating companies. These aspects of the bill are serious encroachments of socialism, not government limited according to the Constitution!

The appropriate method to invigorate the entire U.S. economy, automakers included, would be for government to eliminate unconstitutional spending, balance its budget, sharply reduce corporate taxes, end repressive regulations, and restore free, uncorrupt financial markets. Then America would have a chance to become the magnet for industry it once was. Ask your senator to oppose the auto bailout immediately!

U.S. Economic Freedom Index: 2008 Report PRI Publication By: Lawrence J. McQuillan, Ph.D, Michael T. Maloney, Eric Daniels, Brent M. Eastwood 10.6.2008 New Report Reveals Which States Have Most Economic Freedom South Dakota is most free, New York most economically oppressed San Francisco – The Pacific Research Institute (PRI), a free-market think tank based in California, today released the U.S. Economic Freedom Index: 2008 Report, a ranking of economic freedom in the 50 states. Published in association with Forbes, the Index scores states based on 143 variables, including regulatory and fiscal obstacles imposed on businesses and residents. South Dakota, which ranked 15 in 2004 (the last time the Index was published), has assumed the notable spot as the nation’s most economically free state, while New York consistently remains the most economically oppressed state, ranking 50 in all three editions of the Index. The net migration rate for the 20 freest states was 27.36 people per 1,000, while it was a low 1.17 people per 1,000 for the 20 most economically oppressed states. “People are moving to the freest states and fleeing the least free states as our market-based migration metric of economic freedom predicts,” said Lawrence J. McQuillan, Ph.D., director of Business and Economic Studies at PRI and director of the project. “By measuring economic freedom and studying its effects, people will gain a fuller appreciation of the important imprint it makes on the economic and political fabric of America and will encourage new state legislation that advances economic liberty.” The U.S. Economic Freedom Index: 2008 Report, by Lawrence J. McQuillan, Ph.D., Michael T. Maloney, Ph.D., Eric Daniels, Ph.D., and Brent M. Eastwood, Ph.D., updates the 2004 and 1999 editions using recent data that reflect changes in state policies. The Index score ranges from 1 (most free) to 50 (least free), and state rankings were derived from the index scores. The Index collected and ranked 143 indicators comprised of 209 underlying variables from five sectors (fiscal, regulatory, judicial, size of government, and welfare spending) for each state to measure how friendly, or unfriendly, each state’s government policies are toward free enterprise and consumer choice. The Results South Dakota is # 1 As the most economically free state, South Dakota has no corporate income tax, no personal income tax, no personal property tax, no business inventory tax, and no inheritance tax. South Dakota’s business climate is thriving and companies are relocating and opening plants in the state. In 2007, the Small Business Survival Foundation ranked South Dakota as the best business climate for entrepreneurs. In 2008, Forbes magazine ranked Sioux Falls as the best smaller metro area for business and careers. Moreover, the state has faired well in other indexes measuring items such as inbound migration (United Van Lines) and the cost of doing business in the state (Milken Institute). Great Plains and Rocky Mountain States Most Free South Dakota, Idaho, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Nevada, and Oklahoma rank among the top 10 most economically free states in the nation. Northeast States Most Economically Oppressed The states that are the least economically free are clustered in the densely populated states of the Northeast including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and New York. Most Improved States in the Upper Midwest An economic-freedom renaissance has been undergoing in the Upper Midwest. South Dakota made a big leap in relative economic freedom from 2004 to 2008 advancing 14 places, even bigger were Minnesota, Illinois, and Wisconsin, jumping 18, 19, and 20 places, respectively. Lawrence J. McQuillan, Ph.D., explains that “when one state reforms it puts pressure on its neighbors to improve or be at a competitive disadvantage for attracting people and capital.” States with Biggest Drops States heading in the wrong direction include Texas which fell 14 spots; Alaska, Delaware, and North Carolina each dropping 12 spots; and Arizona falling by 10 places. A full list of all 50 states and their rankings and the data underlying the rankings can be found below. “Measurement is the first step to understanding, and understanding is required for reasoned discussion and sound reform. We hope that the Index will ultimately contribute to sound policy reforms that preserve and advance economic freedom for all Americans,” Dr. McQuillan said.    Read PDF Study Special Features Pages       Related Links U.S. Economic Freedom Index: 2008 Report The U.S. Economic Freedom Index: 2004 Report

Click title to view on the Web:
http://liberty.pacificresearch.org/publications/us-economic-freedom-index-2008-report-2

FAX LETTER

November 14, 2008

The Honorable Arnold Schwarzenegger
Governor, State of California
California State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Fax 916-558-3160

Dear Governor Schwarzenegger,

The Calaveras County Taxpayers Association urges you to cut spending. Forget the lobbies.

Our economic system is under tremendous pressure and families, the poor and the elderly are affected the most.  Unemployment is at a cyclical high, businesses are closing or leaving the state; families are losing their homes to foreclosure. Cost of food, energy, and every other commodity is rising, retirement plans are devalued and the banks are not lending.  

Sales tax and tax on oil are regressive taxes, which seriously affect the most vulnerable of our population. There must be no increase in taxes.

State expenses must be cut. Costs must be contained by cutting state payroll, programs, agencies, education, subsidies and every other recipient of tax money.

We need a ”Grace” commission report to identify wasteful spending for long term positive reform of California government.

Sincerely,

Albert J. Segalla, President

Cc: California Legislature