Budget solutions: Tax dogs, baby goods, coffee, etc.

By David Bultena

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We have all been getting a continuous blizzard of information regarding the state's financial situation. Out of whack to the tune of $24 billion, the state's budget must command full-time efforts and attention of both the Legislature and the governor.

The Democrats are proposing a "share the pain" program to balance the budget and the choice of title is very appropriate. But let me suggest this weathered, time-eroded approach of raising alcohol, oil and cigarette taxes is overloaded.

The system needs some new sources of revenue, and I have a list that I am sure will put new meaning and emphasis to the idea of "share the pain."

First, we need a 5 percent added tax on items related to babies and infants, especially since funding for their medical care is in jeopardy. Disposable diapers, clothing, car seats, anything related to juveniles/infants would be taxed. The exceptions would be food and medicine.

Next would be a $5 surtax on all dog licenses in the state. We have enough dog lovers to cover this and what is good for Rover is good for California.

Cigarettes would be left at the present tax schedule but a new twist would be added. Since we have no hesitation in taxing this habit and we ban smoking from every corner of society except the smoker's domicile, we need a safe location for the consumption of this highly taxed activity.

We need public smokers' parks, where people who smoke can go and light up. This would be the same concept as dog parks, where dogs roam unleashed. Smokers could roam unleashed. The areas need not be large but should have adequate room and disposal units so the butts won't litter the area. Accommodations for smokers would probably increase their consumption and hence revenue would go up without any additional taxes.

Keeping the "share the pain" thing going, the next tax would be a 10 percent surcharge on all brewed coffee and coffee derivatives sold in public.

One only has to cast a quick glance at the latte crowd to know these folks can certainly afford a few extra cents to help California out of its fiscal malaise.

These taxes would be in place long enough to balance the budget and ease the pain. The quicker we pay off the deficit, the quicker the aforementioned taxes would be put into abeyance.

Note that I said "abeyance" and not "eliminated." As soon as the governor and Legislature let deficit-creep jeopardize a balanced budget, all these back-up taxes would go back into effect, and you can imagine the public outcry for a balanced budget, such an outcry we really haven't experienced so far.

Enacting these taxes shouldn't be any public relations problem for the Sacramento crowd since their popularity ratings are already in the tank and they have nothing to lose. The only thing that could make them more unpopular would be a $1 tax on a gallon of milk. Wait, we just might have something here!

Bultena, a retired Merced County deputy district attorney, was a visiting editor with The Bee in 2005. E-mail him at columns@modbee.com.