The budget bills California lawmakers approved Wednesday include a combination of tax and fee increases, spending cuts and revenue assumptions.
They include:
- $3 billion in education cuts
- More than $500 million in cuts to state programs.
- $12 annual fee on car registrations to pay for Department of Motor Vehicle services. The department's costs previously were covered by a voter-approved increase in the vehicle license fee increase that expires July 1.
- $150 annual fee on homes in rural areas that depend on the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection for wildfire protection.
- A quarter-cent local sales tax. A 1 percent increase in the state sales tax is scheduled to expire June 30, so consumers would see a net reduction of three-quarters of a cent in the sales tax they pay on goods.
- Requiring online retailers such as Amazon.com to collect California sales taxes, a change projected to net $200 million annually.
Additional spending cuts:
- University of California, $150 million.
- California State University, $150 million.
- California courts, $150 million.
- County offices of education, $50 million.
Revenue assumptions:
- $1.2 billion from selling and leasing back 11 state properties, under more favorable terms than a plan Brown previously rejected. The state would be allowed to repurchase the properties when the lease deal expires.
- $1.7 billion by restructuring local redevelopment agencies.
- $816 million increase in additional tax revenue projected from a recovering economy.
- $1 billion from First 5 commissions for early childhood development, despite an ongoing legal challenge.
- $3.4 billion in delayed payments to schools, community colleges and the University of California.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
