Business Support for Tax Measures

* “Business Isn’t Thinking of Taxpayers” (Commentary, Feb. 7) failed to take a look at what California businesses are doing to strengthen our state. The California Chamber of Commerce and California Business Roundtable are working to improve California’s business climate and its economy. We believe two initiatives, one scheduled for the March 7 ballot and one currently in the signature-gathering stage, are necessary if California is to continue to prosper.

The overwhelming majority of California’s business community supports Prop. 26 on the March ballot, which would lower the vote requirement for local school bonds to a simple majority. It is estimated that to meet the needs of what will soon be nearly 6 million students, California will require $28.4 billion in new school facilities funding. Money from the general fund alone will not be sufficient. The business community has always taken the lead in raising money for local needs. In California, businesses pay approximately two-thirds of all property taxes.

Another initiative supported by many in California’s business community is currently in circulation and would change the law to draw a clear distinction between a tax, which requires a higher vote threshold for passage, and a fee. Without it, every taxpayer, business and citizen could be subjected to unnecessary and unreasonable tax and fee increases that do nothing to benefit California’s economy.

ALLAN ZAREMBERG, Pres.

California Chamber of Commerce

BILL HAUCK, Pres.

California Business Roundtable

Sacramento