Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Tuesday

Without view of the harm that additional taxes will do to our economy and the regressive effect on poor families of increasing sales taxes blogger Kenneth Alpern throws his support behind a significant increase to in that tax ostensibly for rail transit.  Alpern even acknowledges that government spending could be curtailed elsewhere to provide funding to transportation but figures that's too hard so why bother.  The key to ending gridlock and providing transit is to reduce the barriers to business in California, work to place jobs near housing so folks don't have to commute and open up public transit to competition from the private sector who would absolutely do a far better job in providing this service than the MTA has ever done.



Speaking of taxes, Dennis Zine is making noise that he may oppose Janice Hahn's ludicrous gang property tax increase if he isn't certain Canoga Park will get it's "fair share."  There could be a glimmer of Denny's former Republican soul shining through however as he told the Daily News "People are feeling the pinch," Zine said. "The economy is really in bad shape, and it might not be a good time to ask people for more taxes."  Bingo Former Motorcycle Cop of Record!  THAT's the reason to oppose the tax and not whether you get your slab of bacon or not.  Make us proud Councilman Zine - send goofy Janice Hahn the message that the people are tired of tax increases.



Based on the numbers and past history, it's not likely Republican Presidential candidate John McCain will win California's boatload of electoral votes.  Hence, it appears the GOP standard bearer is not going to make much of an effort in the Golden State. However McCain owes it to the downticket Republicans, especially those in tight races, to do his best to turn out as many votes for himself as possible.



My friend Ron Kaye isn't the only one opposed to big screen flat panel HD televisions.  Apparently Barack Obama wants to rip them out of the White House.  Sure he does, when Richardson comes over for Superbowl Sunday yea they're going to read Lincoln's speeches instead.  By the way Ron I was at the store pricing 60" flat panels the other day.  Contributions to this goal from Mayor Sam readers would be greatly appreciated.  What a great way to give back to your favorite old, dead Republican Mayor who has brought you four years of enjoyment as he remodels his home.



Residents in Venice are up in arms over folks who move into their hood and live in RVs and cars parked on the streets.  Councilmember Bill Rosendahl feels that there should be some compassion shown these semi-homeless folks and wants to set up special "districts" to keep these vehicles from parking overnight in Venice (and sending them to someone else's neighborhood).



The City Council is considering placing a 25 cent per bag tax on plastic bags used in stores in Los Angeles.  Along with the trash tax, telephone tax and a coming sales tax for public transit how much more are we going to pile on, especially for the poor? This is a free market issue and the free market can solve the problem.  Check out stores like HOWS, Walgreens, Trader Joe's and others who sell reusable cloth bags.  I have to tell you as much as I hate plastic bags (the stores use WAY too many of them to put 1-2 items in each and they're not convenient) I hate excessive taxes just as much.  Imagine a poor family buying groceries having to spend less money on food so they can cover the extra sales and bag taxes on their weekly grocery take.  There are other ways to protect the environment.



Rick Orlov joins the war on billboards.  Laws should be followed and illegal efforts should be punished, however just because one group of folks in LA doesn't like the advertisements doesn't mean a lot of other folks don't find them cool when done right in the right place.  This again goes towards the need to eliminate the class warfare element of the Battle of Los Angeles.



Britney Spears' guest appearances on the sitcom How I Met Your Mother earned her some fan appreciation and critical notice but it wasn't enough to get her an Emmy nomination in the guest star category.  Also snubbed: Olsen twin Mary-Kate for her appearances on the Showtime series Weeds.