Burden on Businesses

The Times stated it correctly when it reported that San Fernando Valley legislators “would set aside its promise” to repeal a half-cent sales tax this summer and continue collecting the money.

Sen. Rosenthal says: “I don’t think anybody, the average citizen, knows it’s coming off.” As one of the small business owners in the Valley, I know only too well about sales taxes and fees and permits and certificates and licenses, etc., etc. I’ve seen these taxes and fees go up, some as much as over 200% in the last few years.

Elias Martinez gets paid over $100,000 a year as tax collector (I’ve written many checks to him).

As retail business owners we have to calculate in the sales tax and add it to each invoice. We collect it for the city and state and then pay it each quarter, usually not as easy as it sounds. We then hire a bookkeeper to figure out how much we have to pay.

It costs us to do what Mr. Martinez gets paid handsomely to do.

Assemblyman Friedman says repeal of the tax would inflict “unacceptable” cuts on local law enforcement. Today we hear the LAPD “found” an extra $1 million from confiscated drug money to buy more riot gear.

What is unacceptable is putting another burden on the businesses and people of California.

TIM ELLIOT, North Hollywood