Ratings Show Commitment to Protecting Families from Higher Taxes
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Kristin Olsen, R-Modesto, today announced
that she has received a 100% rating from the California Taxpayers
Association (CalTax), the state’s oldest watchdog group on tax and other
public finance issues, for their 2012 Legislative Voting Record report
card.
“One of my core principles is protecting hard-working families from the
threat of increased taxes,” said Olsen. “It must be a priority in order
to jump-start our economy and attract new jobs. I am grateful to CalTax
for recognizing my commitment to lowering taxes in our state.”
CalTax used the votes on 32 pieces of legislation to calculate their
2012 Legislative Score Card. Some of the legislation included the
following pro-taxpayer bills that Assemblymember Olsen supported:
• Income Tax Deduction for Health Savings Accounts. AB 1510 would
have conformed California law to federal tax laws allowing an income tax
deduction for health savings accounts. This would have ensured that
taxpayers are not penalized for investing in HSAs.
• State Spending Limits. SCA 10 would have established a spending
limit to restrain state spending during hard economic times, and to
prioritize the use of surplus revenue to pay down debt.
• Film Tax Credit Extension. AB 2026 would have allowed the
California Film Commission to allocate the film tax credit for an
additional five years. California has lost tens of thousands of jobs to
other states because of its inability to compete with other tax
incentives.
"Assemblywoman Olsen's 100 percent score on the California Taxpayers
Association Voting Record shows that she understands the direct impact
that tax policy issues have on Californians and their employers,” said
California Taxpayers Association President Teresa Casazza. “The
taxpayers appreciate her strong support for legislation that would
improve California's tax structure and help create more employment
opportunities in our state."
Assemblymember Olsen also co-authored Assembly Bill 1506. This measure,
supported by CalTax, would have repealed an illegal and unfair tax on
rural residents in areas where the State is responsible for fire
protection. This unfair fire tax created no new fire protection
services.
Olsen said that tax increases only add to California’s reputation as a
hostile place to do business. The Golden State most recently ranked 47th
in the nation for its poor business climate. California also has the
nation’s highest sales tax at 7.25 percent, second highest gas tax at 67
cents per gallon, and second highest income tax for top earners.
Assemblymember Kristin Olsen, R-Modesto, is the Rural Caucus Chair and
Assembly Chief Republican Whip. Recognized as a solution-focused
reformer, she represents the 25th Assembly District in the California
Legislature, which includes the communities of Angels Camp, Chowchilla,
Hughson, Mammoth Lakes, Mariposa, Modesto, Oakdale, Oakhurst, Riverbank,
Sonora, and Waterford.
