August 21, 2008

StreetTalk

by Carol Rosen

Gov. Schwarzenegger has proposed a 1-cent sales tax increase to help eliminate the state’s huge budget deficit. How do you feel about it? (Asked at Starbucks, Almaden Center)


“Absolutely not. There’s has to be a different way. Righten up elsewhere especially now. Taking 1 cent here and 1 cent there, when does it stop?”

Louis Rangel, 51
Almaden
American Airlines


“I guess I’m not big on more taxes especially in today’s economy because everyone is struggling. If we all try to pitch in together [to work it out] it shouldn’t be any big deal.”

Patti Young
Almaden
Leland High School banker


“I feel that the governor has taken brinksmanship to a new level in firing and lowering state employees’ salaries. If we are serious about getting out of debt, someone has to sacrifice.”

Rick Ehler, 50
Almaden
Attorney


“I favor [raising] the sales tax as reminding people how expensive government is.”

Michael McCarthy
San Francisco
Medical doctor


“I believe in fiscal responsibility. But adding a tax will be a burden and there are all kinds of other ways to balance the budget. We should all balance our budgets and the government should too.”

Nan Hunter, 70
Almaden
Writer, founder Almaden Country School


“I hope that he has more ideas than that because it [the tax] doesn’t affect the major deficit. You need to look at a whole lot more reforms.”

Lee Wilcox, 29
Cambrian
Chief of staff for Nancy Pyle


“I think the governor’s idea will have a very negative impact on all the other ballot measures; the 1/8th cent tax for BART, the other measures. During hard economic times such as these, the government needs to look at other ways to fix the budget.”

Nancy Pyle
Almaden
City Council member


“The state has to find another solution. We are getting taxed pretty well already. But they should not cut funds to education.”

Ben, 32
Almaden
Youth minister