By Kris Hunt

You may have heard the term “Taxmageddon” but do not know what it signifies. Taxmageddon is the name given to what is currently scheduled to be the largest tax hike in our history.

If nothing is done by Congress, here are just some of the tax changes will go into effect on January 1, 2013:

The current 2% reduction in Social Security payroll contributions by the employee will end. That is a major tax increase (although the already unfunded Social Security fund needs the cash inflow.)

Medicare payroll tax is currently a flat 2.9% on all wages and self-employment profit. But beginning 2013, those with earnings or self-employment over $200,000 the rate becomes 3.8%.

Personal income tax rates will rise on January 1, 2013

The 10% bracket is expanded and increased to 15%

-The 25% bracket becomes 28%

-The 28% bracket becomes 31%

-The 33% bracket becomes 36%

-The 35% bracket becomes 39.6%

The child tax credit will be reduced to $500 from the current $1000 per child.

The standard deduction will no longer be doubled for married couples relative to the single level.

The estate tax changes drastically: Currently the estate tax is 35% with an exemption of $5 million. On January 1, the tax rate becomes 55% on amounts over a million.

Capital gains tax will rise from 15% to 23.8%.

The dividends tax will rise from 15% to 43.4% because of scheduled rate hikes plus Obamacare’s investment surtax.

Medical Device Tax. Companies making medical devices retailing for over $100 with impose a 2.3% excise tax on gross sales (not net of costs).

Flexible spending accounts will be capped at $2500 where the amount now is unlimited. For those with known expensive medical needs this will be a problem.

The deductibility of those with large medical expenses will change. Currently medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of adjusted gross income (AGI) are deductible. That 7.5% hurdle jumps to 10% of AGI. Those 65 or older will enjoy a waiver from the change for the period 2013-2016.

Businesses will have to depreciate equipment purchases over a number of years instead of enjoying a short expensing period like they have now.

The “research and experimentation tax credit” disappears.

Tax credits for education will be limited.

Teachers will no longer be able to deduct classroom expenses.

Employer-provided educational assistance is curtailed. .

Charitable Contributions from IRAs no longer allowed.

This material is taken fromhttp://atr.org/days-taxmageddon-a7203#ixzz278D7lzaw

Kris Hunt is Executive Director of the Contra Costa Taxpayers Association. The Contra Costa Taxpayers Association (“CoCoTAX”) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting accountable, cost-effective and efficient government and opposing unnecessary taxes and spending.

CoCoTAX is the only countywide organization whose exclusive focus is to represent and inform taxpayers on public spending and tax issues. We are funded exclusively by dues and donations from our members. We seek to hold government accountable and ensure that taxes are fair, understood, cost-effective and good for the economy.

Founded in 1937, the Contra Costa Taxpayers Association leads the way in providing fiscal oversight of local government. We actively resist unwarranted taxes and fees, discriminatory regulations, ill-advised public expenditures and government secrecy, inefficiency and waste. We challenge government at all levels to be accountable, responsive, efficient, and deliver good value for every tax dollar.Learn more at www.cocotax.org.

By Allen Payton, Publisher

If you haven’t yet been to the new Kobe Japanese Steak, Seafood, Sushi, Teppanyaki, Fusion restaurant and bar in Antioch, you should.

Named for the finest beef in the world, Kobe is the only restaurant in the area to offer such tender New York steak and Filet Mignon that just melt in your mouth.

Plus, their other menu items of seafood, sushi and chicken will tantalize your taste buds, as well.

What’s more is you can enjoy a show of the preparation of your meal at one of their 12 teppanyaki tables.

Started by four friends who met while all working at the same restaurant, Antioch’s location is Kobe’s fourth, with plans for more.

Partners Benny Chen, Phillip Chau, David Dong and Chef Peter Pan (yes that’s really his name), know what they’re doing from their experience in the restaurant business for between 15 and 30 years, each.

“Offering a fine dining experience with five-star food and five-star quality is our goal,” Benny stated.

Lunches include Hibachi Platters, Special Sushi Combos and Bento Boxes. Dinners include Hibachi Entrees and Special “Kobe” Imperial meals, such as steak and lobster or shrimp, and dinner for two with a choice of three items.

They also feature a sushi bar that seats 17 and offer “fusion” choices of Japanese, Korean, Thai and Chinese food, as well as a Kids Menu for age 10 and under.

See their ad on the previous page for location, hours and a special offer.

By Sergeant Quintero, Antioch Police Community Policing Bureau

On Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at 8:04 a.m., Antioch Police dispatch received numerous phone calls of an auto versus pedestrian collision on Delta Fair Blvd at School Street, which is the entrance to Turner Elementary School. Contra Costa Fire and AMR were summoned as injuries were reported to be serious, if not critical.

Upon arrival, Antioch police officers located two adults, a 32 year-old Pittsburg woman and a 47 year-old Oakley woman, and one juvenile pedestrian victim, an eight year-old boy from Oakley, located on the southeast corner of Delta Fair Blvd and School Street who had apparently been struck by a 2012 Audi A3 Wagon then laying on its side in the driveway of 4205 Delta Fair Blvd. All three pedestrians were flown to John Muir Medical Center by helicopter for treatment. The two adults were treated for various broken bones and lacerations but both are expected to survive. The juvenile was knocked to the ground, but had no complaint of pain and no visible injuries.

Michael James Ratliff, a 22 year-old Oakland resident, was identified as the driver of the Audi and had an odor of alcohol on his breath. He was arrested and taken to the Antioch Police Department for further investigation but his level of intoxication will be determined by laboratory results.

An unknown black male passenger in Ratliff’s vehicle fled the scene on foot after the collision for an unknown reason and his identity and whereabouts are unknown.

It was determined that Ratliff struck a 2002 Toyota Camry just prior to losing control of his vehicle and striking the pedestrians as they stood on the corner waiting to cross the street. The Camry was driven by a 47 year-old Antioch man, who was entering the school to drop off his five and nine year-old sons for school. No one in the Camry was injured and the Camry only sustained moderate damage.

The names of the other involved parties are not being released at this time until notification of family members can be accomplished.

The cause of this accident is still under investigation.

The Antioch Police are aware of numerous other potential witnesses who were driving or walking in the area at the time the collision occurred. We are requesting persons who witnessed the collision call Officer Eric Johnsen at 779-6900 x84265.

This preliminary information is made available by the Traffic Bureau. Any further inquires into the status of this case should be done via the Media Access Telephone Line (925) 779-6874.

The Antioch Chamber of Commerce will host a fun way of the candidates and public getting to know each other, called Political Speed Dating, this Thursday October 11^th, from 6 PM-8 PM at Humphrey’s on the Delta.

Members of the public will be broken up into small groups and each group will have the opportunity to sit down with each candidate for five minutes to get to know the candidates and ask their individual questions. After five minutes the groups will rotate giving each group the opportunity to get to know every candidate.

Appetizers will be served in a fun friendly atmosphere with an opportunity for candidates and voters to personalize the engagement.

The event is free to the public.

Humphrey’s is located at 1 Marina Plaza, foot of L Street, Antioch. For reservations following the event, call 778-5800 or visit them online at www.HumphreysontheDelta.com.

For more information contact the Chamber offices at 757-1800 or visit www.AntiochChamber.com.

On November 6th, the voters of Antioch will be asked to fill three open seats on the Antioch School Board. I highly recommend Barbara Cowan as one of those selected for a board seat.

Mrs. Cowan is a newly retired teacher/administrator. Her 39 years of experience in this noble profession has given her the many experiences necessary to bring valuable knowledge to the Antioch School Board. She will be open and honest in her communications and continue a climate of trust and openness. Her understanding of education and willingness to hear new ideas and suggestions on how to continue improving the system will be a benchmark in her contributions.

Barbara Cowan has taught at all levels and has been a principal of middle schools and high schools. She has also been a special education coordinator. Mrs. Cowan is fluent in Spanish and has had many years of experience in predominately Hispanic schools.

Excellence in the classroom begins with excellence in the boardroom. I urge you to vote for Barbara Cowan.

Richard Asadoorian, Antioch

Trustee, Contra Costa County Board of Education

(the views expressed here are mine as a private citizen and do not reflect the opinion of the other board members)

Stockton, Calif. – Congressman Jerry McNerney has received the endorsement of Shabbir Khan, Treasurer-Tax Collector of San Joaquin County, who is a Republican.

“I couldn’t be more proud to endorse Jerry McNerney in his re-election efforts. He has brought thousands of jobs home right here to San Joaquin County, and more than that, he really cares about the people he represents. He takes the time to listen to everyone he encounters so that he can really get good work done here in San Joaquin County,” said Khan.

When asked why, as a Republican, he would endorse the Democrat in the race over Republican Ricky Gill, Shabbir stated, “I go by individual, not on the party.”

“I have known Jerry McNerney ever since he got elected. In my opinion I think he’s an honest man. He listens. He’s present in his district more than I would say Pombo was in his 14 years. He has done a lot for our veterans,” Kahn added. “I don’t see any problem with Congressman McNerney. He’s an independent thinker. You can talk with him and discuss things with him and I think he’s done a good job as a congressman.”

“It is an honor to have the support of Shabbir Khan. We are both dedicated to tackling the challenges we face here in San Joaquin County, and I will work hard to help the people in San Joaquin. We have a tremendous amount of potential right here in our community and I want to continue to partner with folks here at home to move forward and get our economy growing again,” said McNerney.

This adds to a growing list of local public figures and elected officials who have endorsed McNerney.

The new 9^th district, which includes most of Antioch, is significantly Democratic, with a voter registration that is D+11.  The new 9^th includes the majority of San Joaquin County and portions of Contra Costa County.  The district voted decidedly in favor of President Obama in 2008.

McNerney (D-Stockton) was first elected to Congress in 2006. He is the Ranking Member of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, a post he has used to champion veterans’ issues, bringing back a brand new veterans’ medical facility that is creating 900 local jobs.  He authored the bill to help veterans suffering from traumatic brain injuries and has fought tirelessly to create local jobs, prevent American jobs from being sent overseas, and to restore fiscal responsibility to our government while protecting Medicare and Social Security. He’s running for reelection against Republican Ricky Gill of Lodi.

Publisher Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Los Medanos College has been recognized with eight Medallion Awards from the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations District 6, which serves two-year colleges in southwestern United States. The NCMPR District 6 Medallion Awards recognize outstanding achievement in communications at community and technical colleges in District 6. It’s the only regional competition of its kind that honors excellence exclusively among marketing and public relations professionals at two-year colleges. The NCMPR District 6 Medallion Awards are awarded in levels of gold, silver, and bronze.

Los Medanos College was recognized for:

·Gold Medallion in the category of Banner or Outdoor Media – “Planning to Transfer?”

·Gold Medallion in the category of Website – “Los Medanos College Official Website”

·Silver Medallion in the category of Poster – “How I Learned to Drive”

·Silver Medallion in the category of Banner or Outdoor Media – “Be a Major Success”

·Silver Medallion in the category of Original Photo – “You Look Great”

·Silver Medallion in the category of Logo Design – “Vision 2020”

·Bronze Medallion in the category of Brochure/Flyer – “Career and Technical Education”

·Bronze Medallion in the category of Original Photo – “Committed and Proud”

The awards were presented Friday, September 28, at the conclusion of the NCMPR District 6 Conference in Santa Barbara, California. Los Medanos College was competing with more than 200 entries received from colleges in NCMPR District 6.

“The Medallion Awards recognize excellence in community college marketing,” said Amber Chiang, director of NCMPR District 6. “Often, community college marketing departments are designed to make other departments on campus look good. This is an opportunity to recognize the contributions of marketing staff and achievement in community college communications.”

District 6 includes community colleges in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands and Territory of Guam.

The National Council for Marketing & Public Relations is the only organization of its kind that exclusively represents marketing and public relations professionals at community and technical colleges. As one of the fastest-growing affiliates of the American Association of Community Colleges, NCMPR has more than 1,550 members from more than 650 colleges across the United States, Canada and other countries.

Los Medanos College is located in Pittsburg with an extension in Brentwood. For more information visit www.losmedanos.edu.