Protesters rally in Hermosa Beach against tax hikes

Dozens of people hit the Hermosa Beach Pier on Saturday morning to rally against government tax increases.

Many were waving signs that read: “No More Socialism,” “Repeal Pork, Cut Taxes” and “No Obama,” as they marched from the pier to Hermosa Avenue. They shouted: “No more taxes! No more taxes!” and “Hey, hey, ho, ho! Big government has got to go!”

Cars honked their horns in support as the protesters descended on Hermosa Avenue.

The event, one of a number of recent “Tax Revolt Tea Parties” held across Southern California, was part of a larger effort by a statewide and national network that is planning rallies for Wednesday, the day federal and state income taxes are due. The rallies are planned as California is gearing up for a special election May 19 that will feature propositions that would extend recent tax hikes to help lawmakers deal with the state’s massive budget crisis.

Among those who showed up at the Hermosa Beach rally were Kande and Lenn Grabiner, who said they own a small ad agency in El Segundo and a day spa in Redondo Beach. With about 30 people on their payroll, the couple said, any taxes levied on them would trickle down to others.

“We already pay enough taxes,” Kande Grabiner said. “Enough is enough.”

They and other protesters were especially critical of California’s Proposition 1A, saying it illustrates big government at its worst.

Proposition 1A would cap state spending while extending billions of dollars in temporary tax hikes for up to two extra years. The measure, along with several others, is aimed at solving California’s budget crisis.

The propositions are a key part of a budget plan reached by state lawmakers and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in February. The plan slashed spending and raised taxes to fill a $42-billion deficit.

As part of the state package of higher levies, spending cuts and borrowing proposals, the sales tax increased last week to 8.25%, with local taxes pushing the rate to more than 10% in some cities.

Some of the measures on the May ballot would combine to pump nearly $6 billion into the state’s 2009-10 spending plan.

Already, California’s weak economy has undermined part of the budget plan. A drop in sales tax revenues has created a projected $8-billion shortfall for next year’s budget.

If voters reject those propositions, the state could face a $14-billion deficit that would grow by $16 billion if Proposition 1A also doesn’t pass, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office.

Proposition 1A has been the target of heated criticism by conservatives, who have been waging an anti-tax campaign in recent weeks on talk radio, blogs and Facebook. The Hermosa Beach event was promoted on the John & Ken Show on KFI-AM (640) radio.

“Government should be as small as possible. . . . It shouldn’t be taking most of our money and most of our freedom away,” said Logan Darrow Clements, who drove to the rally from his home in the San Fernando Valley.

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robert.lopez@latimes.com