For Immediate Release, November 19, 2019
Contact: David Kline (916) 930-3108 or davidk@caltax.org
More Than $4.4 Billion a Year in Higher Taxes and Fees
Signed Into Law in 2019
SACRAMENTO – During the first year of the 2019-20 legislative session, state lawmakers and the governor approved more than $4.4 billion a year in higher taxes and fees, the nonpartisan California Tax Foundation reported today.
The foundation’s Tax and Fee Report describes all taxes and fees proposed, lists the current status of each measure, and details how lawmakers voted.
The tax and fee increases enacted this year include a renewal of California’s Managed Care Organization tax, two cellphone surcharges and a renewal of a surcharge on electricity ratepayers.
During the first year of the session, lawmakers introduced 2,649 bills and constitutional amendments, including 74 that contained higher taxes or fees. Those 74 bills proposed more than $20.4 billion in additional taxes and fees to be paid by Californians.
In June, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a $214.7 billion state budget for 2019-20 that includes almost $30 billion in reserve accounts, and $13.4 billion in increased spending over the 2018-19 budget. The governor noted that the budget includes record-high spending on public education – the single largest item in the general fund budget – including approximately $5,000 more per K-12 pupil than eight years ago.
Last year, Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation totaling $200 million in new annual taxes and fees.
The California Tax Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in 1980, improves public policy through independent, nonpartisan research. The California Taxpayers Association, established in 1926, is the state’s oldest and largest association representing taxpayers. CalTax is a nonpartisan, nonprofit research and advocacy association with a dual mission to guard against unnecessary taxation and to promote government efficiency.
