THAT’S DEBATABLE:

GOP lawmakers in the Assembly last week blocked a proposal to tax oil companies to give the state some ground on its multibillion-dollar deficit. Critics called it a publicity stunt to pressure Republicans on their anti-tax pledge while layoff notices go out to thousands of educators. Others argued California is the only state that doesn’t levy the so-called extraction tax and that something must be done to stave off deep cuts in the classrooms. What’s your position on this proposal, and why?

As the lead Republican on tax policy in the Assembly, I voted “no” on new oil taxes twice.

The Democrats’ $1.2-billion oil tax would increase gas prices while increasing our dependence on imported oil by making California oil more expensive.

California may not have an oil severance tax, but we do levy a property tax on crude oil and oil field equipment. We also have the 11th highest corporate income tax rate in America, along with many other oil taxes and fees. We would have the highest taxes on the oil industry if the tax passed.

Chuck DeVore

Assemblyman

(R-Newport Beach)

Democrats have been pushing for tax increases they claim are necessary to fix our budget woes. They like to sensationalize their taxing ideas and argue they are just trying to get the extremely wealthy to pay their “fair share.” In reality, their proposals will disproportionately punish hardworking Californians from lower income levels.

Increasing taxes on goods everyone uses, regardless of income, amounts to a regressive tax. A tax on gas will only force lower-income earners, such as single mothers, to choose between baby formula and gas to go to work.

Tax increases will not solve our state’s fiscal problems and will only make matters worse.

Tom Harman

Senator

(R-Huntington Beach)

Education should always be an absolute priority, and there is enough waste in state government that could be cut to enable us to live within our means and invest in our children.

But at a time when Californians are paying record prices at the pump, Sacramento politicians want to increase gas prices by raising taxes on oil production. This will lead to less oil produced in California and more dependence on foreign oil.

California needs to cut the cost of incarcerating illegal immigrant felons, make our state conform to President Clinton’s modest federal welfare reforms and end the in-state tuition to illegal immigrants before considering another batch of haphazard tax hikes or cuts to education.

Van Tran

Assemblyman

(R-Costa Mesa)