Arianna Huffington on Tax Reform

2004 former Independent Challenger for CA Governor

Estate tax repeal damages philanthropic organizations

The Republican attempt to repeal the estate tax [damages] one of the principal drivers in the creation of philanthropic foundations in America. This move comes just as increasingly pinched federal and state agencies are looking to food banks and homeless shelters administered by nonprofit organizations to feed and house the poor. But who pays the bills for them? Often it’s foundations that might never have been established if the estate tax hadn’t been created. We depend increasingly on the philanthropic sector (and individual tax deductible donations) to pick up the cost for social services that in other countries are paid for with taxes.

Now, with the planned phase-out of the estate tax, private philanthropy will almost certainly be reduced just when the need for it is growing exponentially. In fact, some of the nation’s wealthiest individuals, who also happen to be ardent philanthropists, are strenuously opposed to the repeal of the estate tax. They don’t feel that they are in need of relief.

Source: Fanatics and Fools, by Arianna Huffington, p.130 , Apr 14, 2004

Repeal car tax by cutting prisons & taxing oil & tobacco

Q: If you repeal the recent car tax increase, how would you make up the $4 billion in revenue?

HUFFINGTON: Yes, I would repeal the car tax. I would find the additional revenue by ending the construction of the prison projects, by freezing prison guard salaries, by having a severance tax on oil and having higher taxes on alcohol and tobacco.

Source: Recall debate in Walnut Creek , Sep 3, 2003

Big business should carry fair share of the tax burden

Arianna will unveil a detailed plan to balance California’s budget in early September. She has already announced that she plans to close corporate tax loopholes and tax shelters, making sure that big businesses carry their fair share of the tax burden. Source: 2003 Gubernatorial campaign website, AriannaForGov.com , Aug 15, 2003

Full assessment of commercial property; more corporate tax

Arianna has called for an end to the insufficient assessment of commercial property. She intends to reverse the trend that has seen an increase in the property tax burden placed on homeowners, and a decrease in the share paid by corporations. They used to provide 14% of our state’s tax revenue. Today they provide only 8%. Source: 2003 Gubernatorial campaign website, AriannaForGov.com , Aug 15, 2003

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