California's Budget Crisis

Actually Brad, I just read a few weeks ago that New York is the highest, then OREGON (thanks to a recent hike), then California.

That's crazy. I hate paying fees especially when they are ridiculous amounts. I'd almost rather them just take it from income. What are you renewing your license for? Are you doing anything particular with it?

Jones Lang La Salle (my employer) encourages all managers to enroll in continuing education annually and pays for the courses. I really don't use my broker's license, and I'm not a commissioned employee, but I think its good to keep it active. I can sell my own home or buy and still collect a commission in the State of California. I'd like to someday become an active Commercial Agent, but certainly not now!! 

What's funny is Brad did all that paperwork and submitted it with the fee and then after that he got the whole blank packet in the mail to fill out--the same one he already filled out.  Now wouldn't it seem if money is so tight they wouldn't be sending out expensive packets with mailing costs if there wasn't a need.  Take Citibank--they finally figured out we don't need to fill out withdrawal and deposit slips anymore.  Funny how we do things so auto for so many years and then one day we realize we really don't need to do that anymore. 

and our wonderful politicians recent activities:

1) Colleges and universities now MUST interview minority candidates BEFORE they may hire anybody, in the athletic departments (coaches, assistants, etc), making Oregon the first to pass such legislation.  Uhmmm... isn't this a bit backwards, for 2009?  How is this not 100% racism?    Why is Oregon so awful, when it comes to "firsts" (medicinal marijuana, assisted suicide, and now this).

2) Kulongoski is expected to sign a bill that nearly doubles the car registration rate, from $27 a year to $43 a year.  Why you ask?   To pay for the widening of highway 26, from 185th to Cornell.   Uhmmm...  isn't that a short stretch of highway used by about .005% of Oregonians?   Why should every Oregonian have to fund that?

Widen only that much of 26?  That's only one stinking offramp more.  Make it worth your while and go all the way out to Cornelius Pass you morons.

Oregon car registration is still much less than California--and you have the sales tax advantage, too.

yeah, not paying sales tax is a HUGE savings (ours is 10%). And IL's car registration has been $75 but I think it's going up too. one of my favorite fees is that ever car must have a city sticker on it (renewed each year), which is another $60/year.

Sales tax really isn't that big of a savings if you compare it to your property tax or others.  You'd have to spend a fortune in California to match what I pay in property tax here.

We don't get the fulll benefit of Prop 13 that others who live in our neighborhood and bought at lower prices. Its a great savings for long term and older homeowners, but all at the sake of the newer homebuyer. I would be more in favor of an across the board reduction for Seniors and disabled persons instead of the tiered arrangement we have. But I would still like to see the annual cap of 2% increases and reductions due to decline in value.