July 18, 1973 (12 pages)

2 4 The Nevada County Nugget Wed., July 18,197 Oinla 6.5 9 a.m 00.0 ,89,0,8 68 85h inne 00.9 0100.80.88 8.8 2.8 6.0.9 8 6 9:06 0 (o's) b\e lei bole ko uate aid gages eee Ra ne $1029, 2, 028,018,880 0 S918 D0, 6.018.008 00 oie eras eta a ate te stata a tara ate eT TAT Capitol Comment by Earl G. Waters : TAX SPAT Regardless of one’s political sympathies, the last minute donnybrook over taxes which occurred in the closing hours before the legislative vacation recess was indefensible. There is no question that Speaker Bob Moretti, a gubernatorial aspirant, was playing politics to the hilt. His form of gamesmanship might have been excusable had he been successful. But there is an old adage which is particularly appropriate to politics. ‘Never start a fight you can’t win.” Experienced politicians carry that a step farther. “Don’t get drawn into a fight you can’t win.’ While both Reagan and Moretti are claiming victory, it remains both lost. Worse, the people were really the big losers. And Reagan and Moretti should be equally embarrassed. The controversy began last January when the Governor announced his proposal to refund a portion of the general fund surpluses to the citizens in the form of income tax rebates. His reasons were sound. Ronnie has been in office long enough to have learned that whenever the state has surplus funds there will be as many proposals of ways to spend it as there are members of the legislature. He has also learned that most of the proposals are of a nature which would commit the state to new and continuing expenses. Initially, opponents to the refunds favored instead a deferment of the sales tax increase voted last year. But, as the financial picture pecame clearer it was evident the surplusses would be greater than anticipated. Present estimates are that it will be near $1 billion as of last June 30 after all figures have been tallied. And with the one cent sales tax increase which started this month, the surplus will grow at the rate of more than $1 million a day. With this updated picture on revenues it became obvious that not only could the sales tax be deferred but an income tax rebate was also possible. There was no basic disagreement between the Governor and Moretti on either point. But Moretti chose to assume an attitude of looking out for the “poor” people. He balked at the Governor’s rebate schedule. He charged it favored the rich at the expense of the poor. This was hogwash. The truly poor don’t pay income tax in the first place so they wouldn’t benefit by an income tax refund regardless of the rate. The Governor proposed refunds ranging from 20 to 35 per cent with the larger percentages going to those who had paid the least. Dollarwise, those who paid the greatest amount would get the largest refunds. Posing as the friend of the people, Moretti amended tne proposal to limit refunds to a $200 maximum. One who paid $600 in state income taxes last year would get as much refund as one who paid $10,000 or more. ° This type of “equity” didn’t fit the Governor’s philosophy. He promptly vetoed the bill. In doind so he denied refunds of any kind to all. He also caused the sales tax increase to commence even though he agrees with everyone that it isn’t needed. Moretti had delayed action on the tax proposal until the final days before the recess and only hours before the sales tax increase was to become a reality. He was jockeying for position. He thought he could force the Governor’s hand. In the meantime, the Board of Equalization which administers the sales tax, was in a quandary. Not knowing whether the tax was or wasn’t it delayed sending out notices, forms and new tax schedules. As a result the state had to rely on the media to give public notice. Not only will many citizens suffer by the added burden but many merchants will find themselves stuck for taxes out of their own pocket which should have been collected. BUSINESS © BILLBOARD DAWN WIEGMAN will visit Japan this Jack's Lions Breakfast Club. Dennis Hill, Dawn's suitcase, to help pay her expen smooth puss badges for the Fourth of Japanese girl, both sponsored by Lions same six weeks Dawn is in Japan. The John Berryman an ‘host the visitors and Dawn will live with a Lions Club fa Clubs in Japan, A trip to Japan summer as the representative of Cousin president of the club, slips a check in ses. The funds came from the sale of July celebration. A Japanese boy and will visit locally for the — d Mike Krill families will mily in Japan. ; : High voltage hobbyist makes. visit Remember those glass electrical insulators attached to power lines on telephone poles? The ones you use to throw rocks at when you were a kid. Or shoot with your BB gun. Well, some of them are worth up to $1000.00 or more. That is, to an insulator ' collector. As it turns out there Len Gilbert Sit back and let classified ads do the sell. . FARMERS INSURANCE GROUP ing, :renting or buying . HEFFREN INSURANCE AGENCY for you. 111W.Main P.O Box 1034 are still more to be found,’’ Pete said. ‘‘which is part of the excitement of collecting insulators.” “People all over the world Grass Valley, Ca. 265-6166 have an interest in old glass and THE GIPSON’S 273-2567 rark At Ihe Door Of The Friendly Store Cedar Ri per ri Colfax Hiway — 273-4664 . 1429 €. Ridge Rd.,Grass Valley ceramic’ insulators,’’ he ‘explained. ‘‘The color and design of the insplator has a lot to do with its value as a collector’s item.” The insulators come in all sizes, designs and colors. Some are used on .120 volt systems, and others on systems as high as 750,000 volts. Why so many different kinds of insulators? “Each power company and private inventer had different thoughts about what constituted the best design for a given voltage,’ Mr. Enrooth said. ‘‘Thus, over the years, every’ imaginable concept was manufactured.’ What makes the hobby even more unique is that all known insulators are cataloged. A photograph is shown, an engineering drawing, the collector price, and availability of the insulator. The collectors meet annually and buy and sell or trade the insulators. The collectors also have their own jargon. They talk the: about “‘a pluto that just sold for $1000.00,” or use such words as “liquid insulators and crown jewels.” The pluto insulator, for example, is of interest because only three in perfect condition have been found. So far, “There are over 335 insulator collectors in California alone. Peter J. Enrooth, a Montana Power Company lineman, is such a collector. He and his family will be the guests of Bill and Donis Davis of Grass Valley for the next two weeks. Mr. Enrooth has over 600 insulators in his collection. The most recent addition is an insulator from Vietnam. Classified Aas, the little fellows with the big pulling power

2 4 The Nevada County Nugget Wed., July 18,197 Oinla 6.5 9 a.m 00.0 ,89,0,8 68 85h inne 00.9 0100.80.88 8.8 2.8 6.0.9 8 6 9:06 0 (o's) b\e lei bole ko uate aid gages eee Ra ne $1029, 2, 028,018,880 0 S918 D0, 6.018.008 00 oie eras eta a ate te stata a tara ate eT TAT Capitol Comment by Earl G. Waters : TAX SPAT Regardless of one’s political sympathies, the last minute donnybrook over taxes which occurred in the closing hours before the legislative vacation recess was indefensible. There is no question that Speaker Bob Moretti, a gubernatorial aspirant, was playing politics to the hilt. His form of gamesmanship might have been excusable had he been successful. But there is an old adage which is particularly appropriate to politics. ‘Never start a fight you can’t win.” Experienced politicians carry that a step farther. “Don’t get drawn into a fight you can’t win.’ While both Reagan and Moretti are claiming victory, it remains both lost. Worse, the people were really the big losers. And Reagan and Moretti should be equally embarrassed. The controversy began last January when the Governor announced his proposal to refund a portion of the general fund surpluses to the citizens in the form of income tax rebates. His reasons were sound. Ronnie has been in office long enough to have learned that whenever the state has surplus funds there will be as many proposals of ways to spend it as there are members of the legislature. He has also learned that most of the proposals are of a nature which would commit the state to new and continuing expenses. Initially, opponents to the refunds favored instead a deferment of the sales tax increase voted last year. But, as the financial picture pecame clearer it was evident the surplusses would be greater than anticipated. Present estimates are that it will be near $1 billion as of last June 30 after all figures have been tallied. And with the one cent sales tax increase which started this month, the surplus will grow at the rate of more than $1 million a day. With this updated picture on revenues it became obvious that not only could the sales tax be deferred but an income tax rebate was also possible. There was no basic disagreement between the Governor and Moretti on either point. But Moretti chose to assume an attitude of looking out for the “poor” people. He balked at the Governor’s rebate schedule. He charged it favored the rich at the expense of the poor. This was hogwash. The truly poor don’t pay income tax in the first place so they wouldn’t benefit by an income tax refund regardless of the rate. The Governor proposed refunds ranging from 20 to 35 per cent with the larger percentages going to those who had paid the least. Dollarwise, those who paid the greatest amount would get the largest refunds. Posing as the friend of the people, Moretti amended tne proposal to limit refunds to a $200 maximum. One who paid $600 in state income taxes last year would get as much refund as one who paid $10,000 or more. ° This type of “equity” didn’t fit the Governor’s philosophy. He promptly vetoed the bill. In doind so he denied refunds of any kind to all. He also caused the sales tax increase to commence even though he agrees with everyone that it isn’t needed. Moretti had delayed action on the tax proposal until the final days before the recess and only hours before the sales tax increase was to become a reality. He was jockeying for position. He thought he could force the Governor’s hand. In the meantime, the Board of Equalization which administers the sales tax, was in a quandary. Not knowing whether the tax was or wasn’t it delayed sending out notices, forms and new tax schedules. As a result the state had to rely on the media to give public notice. Not only will many citizens suffer by the added burden but many merchants will find themselves stuck for taxes out of their own pocket which should have been collected. BUSINESS © BILLBOARD DAWN WIEGMAN will visit Japan this Jack's Lions Breakfast Club. Dennis Hill, Dawn's suitcase, to help pay her expen smooth puss badges for the Fourth of Japanese girl, both sponsored by Lions same six weeks Dawn is in Japan. The John Berryman an ‘host the visitors and Dawn will live with a Lions Club fa Clubs in Japan, A trip to Japan summer as the representative of Cousin president of the club, slips a check in ses. The funds came from the sale of July celebration. A Japanese boy and

will visit locally for the — d Mike Krill families will mily in Japan. ; : High voltage hobbyist makes. visit Remember those glass electrical insulators attached to power lines on telephone poles? The ones you use to throw rocks at when you were a kid. Or shoot with your BB gun. Well, some of them are worth up to $1000.00 or more. That is, to an insulator ' collector. As it turns out there Len Gilbert Sit back and let classified ads do the sell. . FARMERS INSURANCE GROUP ing, :renting or buying . HEFFREN INSURANCE AGENCY for you. 111W.Main P.O Box 1034 are still more to be found,’’ Pete said. ‘‘which is part of the excitement of collecting insulators.” “People all over the world Grass Valley, Ca. 265-6166 have an interest in old glass and THE GIPSON’S 273-2567 rark At Ihe Door Of The Friendly Store Cedar Ri per ri Colfax Hiway — 273-4664 . 1429 €. Ridge Rd.,Grass Valley ceramic’ insulators,’’ he ‘explained. ‘‘The color and design of the insplator has a lot to do with its value as a collector’s item.” The insulators come in all sizes, designs and colors. Some are used on .120 volt systems, and others on systems as high as 750,000 volts. Why so many different kinds of insulators? “Each power company and private inventer had different thoughts about what constituted the best design for a given voltage,’ Mr. Enrooth said. ‘‘Thus, over the years, every’ imaginable concept was manufactured.’ What makes the hobby even more unique is that all known insulators are cataloged. A photograph is shown, an engineering drawing, the collector price, and availability of the insulator. The collectors meet annually and buy and sell or trade the insulators. The collectors also have their own jargon. They talk the: about “‘a pluto that just sold for $1000.00,” or use such words as “liquid insulators and crown jewels.” The pluto insulator, for example, is of interest because only three in perfect condition have been found. So far, “There are over 335 insulator collectors in California alone. Peter J. Enrooth, a Montana Power Company lineman, is such a collector. He and his family will be the guests of Bill and Donis Davis of Grass Valley for the next two weeks. Mr. Enrooth has over 600 insulators in his collection. The most recent addition is an insulator from Vietnam. Classified Aas, the little fellows with the big pulling power