Aligning U.S., State Taxes

The Page 1 article (Aug. 20), “Efforts Revived to Align State, U.S. Tax Codes,” struck a nerve.

Why in the world does the state of California persist in its ridiculous taxing system? Why not just bill a percentage amount of the federal tax? It would vary among individuals, but in averaging the past 10 years, my state tax amount has been about 8.5% of my federal tax. Why, then, could one not merely send a photocopy of those federal tax return pages showing the amount paid along with a check in a predetermined amount?

It is my understanding that about 38 states have this system already.

Do the bureaucrats love the present system for some reason? What is the reason? Who is gaining? Why are they against saving millions and millions of administrative dollars?

ARLO L. DUNDAS

San Pedro