SALVATION THROUGH SIN TAX

Making up the money: We have ways

The governor and state legislators tell us that making up for California's
$38 billion budget shortfall has to be "ugly." But does it? Maybe all we
need to do is just loosen up and think outside the box.

And before anyone shoots down the following ideas as "too radical," consider
the alternatives. Like, allowing the number of indigent insane to increase
100-fold is more attractive? Or cheating public school kids out of two weeks
of education, as Oregon did, is somehow reasonable?

Some suggestions:

- -- Expand California's agricultural horn of plenty to include medical
marijuana.

This would not only raise a good deal of money -- the state would grow and
sell its own stuff -- it would end the seven-year legal joust between us and
the federal government.

In 1996, California voters passed Proposition 215, making it OK to cultivate
and use marijuana (with a doctor's prescription) to fight nausea from
diseases such as cancer and AIDS. But the Clinton and Bush II
administrations have trashed states' rights and fought implementation.

Why would Washington back off now? Because the national budget is its own
disaster. The feds just want every cash-strapped state to stop whining and
go away -- whatever it takes. Plus, when it comes to fostering commerce, the
Bush folks seem ever willing to relax a few federal laws.

- -- Impose a "sin tax" on fuel-guzzling vehicles the same as on liquor and
tobacco; they're a sin against the environment. You want to buy a big SUV to
"feel safe" -- or to thumb your nose at good citizenship and common sense,
as in the case of the Hummer? Pay for it. And not just at the auto dealer or
gas pump.

To purchase price and age of a vehicle, add fuel efficiency and emission
standards as criteria for cost of registration. The fewer miles to the
gallon your model gets, and the higher its emission level -- SUVs are
classified as trucks and enjoy more relaxed requirements than regular cars
- -- the more you pay to the DMV.

Thanks to a truly stupid 1998 rollback of vehicle registration fees, all
California car and truck owners likely will get smacked in August with a 300
percent fee increase. So parcel out the pain accordingly.

- -- Stop pondering the possibility of retooling Proposition 13 and just do
it. There are people living in $3 million houses in Piedmont, Mill Valley,
Atherton and Pacific Heights who are paying 1970s-era property taxes. (And
rent control gets a bad name!)

Even worse is the rarely discussed commercial aspect of Prop. 13 that was
grannied in a year later and has made California an el cheapo paradise for
too many business entities that pay peanuts in property taxes.

- -- Slap a 5-cents-per-cup tax on all coffee bar drinks.

Why? Because we can.

Californians, like millions of Americans, are addicted to their mochas,
double macchiatos and half-caf capps with low-fat foam. They will pay
whatever it takes to feed their habit. The market probably would bear a
$5-per-cup tax. The main point is to exploit the junkies ASAP.

- -- Charge protesters $1 per person to march for or against anything in
California cities. (Baby strollers would cost 50 cents.) The benefits would
be two-fold: raise money and settle -- once and for all -- the arguments
over how many people actually show up for a demonstration.

- -- Tax any TV reality show that is conceived or produced in California.

It's just the right thing to do.

- -- Collect an entry fee from Nevada residents. And while we're at it, charge
Californians an exit fee to Nevada, Arizona and Oregon. You want to get out
of here for a weekend of Shakespeare in Ashland, blackjack in Reno or golf
in Yuma? Gotta pay.

Nothing exorbitant that might cause a revolt. A couple of bucks, maybe five.

If the Golden Gate Bridge can get away with it, the state can.

- -- Follow the lead of many corporations that are pinching pennies by
eliminating employee amenities such as free coffee: Cut out free car leases
for state legislators. Let them buy or foot their own lease bills like the
rest of us.

Even the barest-bones Kia Rio will last two terms.

- -- This one comes from state Senate President Pro Tem John Burton: "Charge
license fees for political consultants -- 10 percent of whatever they
collect to run a campaign goes to California."

- -- To reel in spending as well as streamline the annual (and ugly)
legislative budget battle, forbid Republicans from accessing any government
services they don't want to pay taxes for and require all Democrats to pay
all the tax increases.

Robert Salladay of The Chronicle's Sacramento Bureau contributed to this
commentary.