California is a state unlike socialist CT where the people can petition to have something put on the ballot bypassing spineless politicians. So a petition has been started to repeal the California tax.

Link

First clean the cabinets, take the doors off, paint the doors, paint the cabinets and put it all back together.

Sounds easy but the people who lived here before painted the cabinets this ugly yellow, it took 3-4 coats to get the look I wanted... that is a lot of drying time.

CT prior to 1991 had no state income tax. Since 1991 the state government can't seem to get enough of the Tax elixir.

Just a couple of interesting facts about CT:

- CT has one of the highest electric rates in the country.

- CT is the wealthiest states in the US. (This is due to many NYC workers living in CT rather than NY, but not since 1991).

- CT is losing its population per the census figures.

- CT is losing the college graduates to other states.

- CT is also seeing a huge increase in the newly retired moving to other states (Can you say tax free or less)

- CT has become the first state to enact mandated sick days for companies larger than 50 employees.

Our new governor a Democrat, the first one in 21 years and campaigned on bringing business back to CT. The hope how it was so fleeting.

Unlike other states the Governor stated he would not cut government or limit its spending, so that means, yes Tax increases. Here is the list.

Take special note of how CT is open for business's to move here. Businesses are now mandated to provide paid sick time for employees, and also hit them with a 20% surtax.

The "Nexus" tax or really Amazon, EBay tax has backfired as other states that have tried to do the same. Amazon and other internet business's have terminated the Associate programs in CT. A loss of revenue and jobs in CT.

So what CT and other states are trying to say is a presence in the state is if a person has a website like this one,  lives in CT and they have an Amazon ad on their website then according to the state Amazon has a nexus in CT and should collect tax on all sales to CT residents. This needs to be challenged and I believe it is in the courts now and probably headed to the Supreme Court. Sales tax was and is for the support of services such as Police and Fire Departments. In other words the things a brick and mortar store needs.

Income Tax: The following income tax changes are effective as of January 1, 2011:

Tax Brackets and Rates: The number of income tax brackets was increased from three to six with the top marginal income tax rate increased to 6.7%. The new income tax rates are 3%; 5%; 5.5%; 6.0%; 6.5% and 6.7%.

Sales and Use Taxes:

Tax Rates: The following tax rates are in effect as of July 1, 2011:

• The general sales and use tax rate increases from 6% to 6.35%;
• The room occupancy tax increases from 12% to 15%; (Business Travelers)
• The tax on the rental or leasing of a passenger motor vehicle for a period of 30 consecutive calendar days or less increases from 6% to 9.35%;(Business Travelers)
• A tax rate of 7% applies to the following: the sale for more than $50,000 of most motor vehicles, the sale for more than $100,000 of a vessel, the sale for more than $5,000 of jewelry (whether real or imitation), the sale for more than $1,000 of an article of clothing or footwear intended to be worn on or about the human body, a handbag, luggage, umbrella, wallet or watch. (The Rich)

New Taxable Services: Effective July 1, 2011, sales of the following services are taxable:

• Services rendered in the voluntary evaluation, prevention, treatment, containment or removal of hazardous waste or other contaminants of air, water or soil; (I thought we were Eco friendly)
• Valet parking provided at any airport; (Business Travelers)
• Yoga instruction provided at a yoga studio;
• Motor vehicle storage services; (Business Travelers)
• Packing and crating services; (People Moving Out of The State)
• Motor vehicle towing and road services;
• Intrastate transportation services provided by livery services, with certain exceptions, including nonemergency medical transportation provided under the Medicaid program, certain paratransit services and dial-a-ride services;
• Pet grooming, pet boarding services, and pet obedience services; (Rich)
• Services in connection with a cosmetic medical procedure; (Rich)
• Manicure services, pedicure services and all other nail services; and
• Spa services.(Rich)

Exemptions Repealed: Effective July 1, 2011, the following exemptions are repealed:

• Clothing and footwear under $50; (The Poor)
• Nonprescription drugs and medicines, and smoking cessation products (Below CT increases the tax on tobacco and also now has a tax for those that want to quit)

Remote Affiliates: Expands Connecticut law to provide that an out-of-state retailer will have nexus with Connecticut based on certain arrangements with remote affiliates located in Connecticut. (Internet Tax)

Exemption for equipment installed in motor vehicles for persons with physical disabilities: This exemption was expanded to apply to the portion of the sales price attributable to such equipment when a motor vehicle is resold.

Admissions Tax: Admissions charges for events at the following venues are taxable, effective for admissions charges on and after January 1, 2012:

Corporation Business Tax: 

Surtax: A surtax of 20% will apply for income years beginning on or after January 1, 2012 and before January 1, 2014.

Incentive to create new jobs: Allows a taxpayer to use tax credits to offset more than 70 per cent of its corporation business tax liability if the business meets certain job creation criteria.

Excise Taxes: 

Cigarette Tax - Rate increase: The cigarette tax rate will increase from $3.00 to $3.40 per pack on July 1, 2011. 

Tobacco Products Tax - Rate increases: Effective July 1, 2011, the tax on all tobacco products (other than tobacco snuff products) will increase from 27.5 percent to 50 percent of the wholesale sales price of such products. In the case of cigars, the tax will be 50 percent of the wholesale sales price, not to exceed 50 cents per cigar. 

Effective July 1, 2011, the tax on tobacco snuff products will increase from $0.55 per ounce to $1.00 per ounce of snuff.

Effective July 1, 2011, the tax on cigars will be 50 percent of the wholesale sales price, not to exceed 50 cents per cigar. 

Alcoholic Beverage Tax - Rate increases: Effective July 1, 2011, the various alcoholic beverages tax rates will increase by 20%.
Miscellaneous Taxes: 

Real Estate Conveyance Tax - Rate increases: For deeds, instruments or writings that are currently subject to the state real estate conveyance tax at a rate of 0.5%, the rate is increased to 0.75% effective July 1, 2011. 

For deeds, instruments or writings that are currently subject to the state real estate conveyance tax at a rate of 1.0%, the rate is increased to 1.25% effective July 1, 2011. 

Estate Tax: For estates of decedents dying on or after January 1, 2011, an estate is subject to the Connecticut estate tax if the amount of the Connecticut taxable estate exceeds $2 million. 

Gift Tax: For Connecticut taxable gifts made by a donor during a calendar year commencing on or after January 1, 2011, including the aggregate amount of Connecticut taxable gifts made by the donor during all calendar years commencing on or after January 1, 2005, the Connecticut gift tax will be imposed if the amount of Connecticut taxable gifts exceeds $2 million (with a credit allowed against such tax for Connecticut gift tax previously paid for Connecticut taxable gifts made on or after January 1, 2005, but prior to January 1, 2011). 

New Electric Generation Tax: Effective for calendar quarters commencing July 1, 2011, there is a new electric generation tax that is imposed on every entity that is providing electric generation services and uploading electricity generated at a facility in Connecticut to the regional bulk power grid. The tax is equal to $0.0025 multiplied by the net kilowatt hours of electricity that are generated and uploaded. The tax does not apply to electricity generated and uploaded exclusively through the use of fuel cells, solar, wind, water, or biomass. Note: This tax is scheduled to sunset on July 1, 2013.

New Hospitals Tax: Effective for calendar quarters commencing July 1, 2011, there is a new tax imposed on a hospital’s “net patient revenue.”

New Residential Day User Fee – ICF-MR: Effective for calendar quarters commencing July 1, 2011, there is a new “residential day user fee” on each intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded in this state. 

Nursing Home User Fee: Effective for calendar quarters commencing on or after October 1, 2011, the fee is based on the sum of each nursing home’s anticipated nursing home net revenue multiplied by a percentage set by the Department of Social Services, which percentage will not exceed the maximum allowed under federal law.

Time to ready my machine, machines for Lion the new version of Apple's operating system. One thing I have learned whether it is Apple, Windows or Linux make sure the programs you use are ready for the upgrade. If you need to check your computer in prep for the Lion release here is a great website. 

Now if Apple would just announce the release. The reason I am anxious for this release is that the new laptops will probably be announced also like the Macbook Air!!! 

What I am looking for in a stylus is one that is responsive on the Ipad screen, doesn't lose the responsive over time, comfortable in the hand and finally it would have a real pen for taking notes.

I have used the Pogo, Targus and Boxwave stylus's.

The Pogo was terrible and the worst of the lot. The spongy head would mis-shape with the slightest pressure. The Pogo was also very thin and small. My pogo eventually snapped in half.

The Boxwave was better, but the tip became less responsive over time. This seemed to be caused by dirt or grime. Cleaning the tip didn't seem to help.

The Targus was the best in class but also fell to the dirt, grime issue and would begin to stick on the screen.

For Christmas the Alu Pen was under the tree. I have used it for a few days. What I like is the pen is bulky like a big fat pencil in art class. The bulk is much more comfortable in my hand. I also like the tip very responsive on the Ipad and works at various angle's. Most Ipad applications have a setting to adjust the thickness of the line and this allows me to adjust the look of the line. Now will the Alu pen fall to the same issue with dirt or grime I am not sure, but so far this is now my favorite stylus.

The Alu pen meets all my needs except for the feature of a real pen within the device. In time this may occur.

I started with a margarita, and then some tequila. I then moved onto grand marnier 150. With a gastric bypass they have you stay away from alcohol for a year. The reason are for addiction transfer (food to alcohol) also the change in the digestion system. At least for me I don't have the issues that some of folks do.

Nice to know and nice so I can at least have a drink without ending up on the ground. 

Now they are at least on the same chair, this is progress.