UPPING THE ANTE: Ventura County has one...

UPPING THE ANTE: Ventura County has one of the lower sales tax rates among Southern California counties. . . . But, as in other counties, government leaders are weighing a possible increase of the local assessment as a way to stave off budget problems. While Orange County voters will decide in June whether to hike their tax to 8.25% to help with the county’s financial crisis, Ventura County officials are in the midst of a study to decide whether to increase the sales tax and use revenues to bolster the county library system.

COYOTE SOLUTION: Coping with coyotes is becoming a big urban headache, and Thousand Oaks is one of the latest cities to grapple with controlling the predators (B5). . . . The city might do well to look to its neighbor to the south. In Los Angeles, animal rights activists and homeowners clashed over how best to control the animals. Their answer was to allow city employees to trap and kill the animals under certain conditions. . . . One catch: The trap-setting cost to homeowners is $200.

SHOW GOES ON: Their former bass guitarist is still missing. . . . But hard-rock band Iron Butterfly is moving forward with concert appearances. Philip (Taylor) Kramer, who left the band to found a high-tech multimedia firm, has been missing since Feb. 12. . . . But his former group will perform this weekend at the Ventura Theatre. Manager Don Hulett said three original band members got back together before Kramer’s disappearance “to create new music and get on with their careers.” Added Hulett: “We’re all trying to locate him.”

ROLL THE PRESSES: The title is catchy--”Capitol Scoop”--and the readership is growing: So far, 130 are signed up for the monthly missive. . . . Not bad for an insider newsletter, say its creators at the district headquarters of state Assemblyman Nao Takasugi (R-Oxnard). The first issue came out about a month ago and is being sent to community leaders. Under state political laws, though, the newsletter’s readership is limited to 200.

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Taxing Proposition

Sales tax rates in Southern California by county: County: Tax Rate Los Angeles: 8.25% Orange: 7.75% Riverside: 7.75% San Bernardino: 7.75% Ventura: 7.25% San Diego: 7.00% Sources: State Board of Equalization, counties