The Senator Reports

October 8th, 2009

Kiwanis: My Choice for San Diego Veterans Allegiance Award
By Senator Mark Wyland (R-Carlsbad)

Last week I was pleased to announce The Hidden Valley Kiwanis Club of Escondido as my choice for the Veterans Allegiance Award, which is awarded to a non-profit organization that demonstrates the support of veterans in their outreach programs and patriotism efforts.

The story of the Hidden Valley Kiwanis is that of a volunteer organization seeing a need in the veteran community and reaching out. For example, a member of the Kiwanis club led the charge to entirely renovate a U.S. Army Sergeant’s home, which was completely retrofitted, with a new roof, plumbing, wiring, drywall, carpeting and furnishings.

I am encouraged that organizations like the Hidden Valley- Kiwanis Club of Escondido have chosen to extend the efforts of their normal operations into programs that provide great assistance to our local veterans. Acknowledging organizations like Kiwanis is one small gesture we can make to show our support and appreciation of their contributions.

Senator Mark Wyland represents the people of the 38th Senate District, which includes cities in north San Diego County and the south Orange County cities of San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano.

Senator Mark Wyland
1910 Palomar Point Way, Suite 105
Carlsbad, California 92008
760.931.2455 Office
email: senator.wyland@sen.ca.gov

Tax Commission Releases Report
By Assemblyman Martin Garrick

The Commission on the 21st Economy, a bi-partisan group that came to be through Governor Schwarzenegger’s executive order, released its report last week and detailed their plan to overhaul California’s tax structure.

The report contained several new ways to revise the state’s volatile tax structure, including reducing the number of tax brackets from six down to two and eliminating the sales tax. Unfortunately, there are a few troubling proposals contained in the report that could have a devastating effect on the economy. Most notably, the inclusion of a “business net receipts tax,” that has the potential to cripple our economy even further. While it does lower the current corporation tax from 8.84% to 4%, it also eliminates the ability of companies to deduct salaries and benefits - potentially putting more jobs at risk.

I don’t agree with all of the recommendations in the report but I do believe California is overdue for an honest discussion of how to restructure our tax system. Put simply, Californians deserve a better system.

Assemblyman Martin Garrick serves the communities of Carlsbad, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Rancho Santa Fe, San Marcos, Vista, and portions of San Diego, Escondido and Oceanside as the Assemblyman for the 74th District.