California Focus: California chases its own tail on taxes
State agencies waste time, money paying taxes to other arms of government

By MICHELLE STEEL

In 2003, United Parcel Service made a seemingly insignificant decision that continues to save the company millions of dollars every year. Drivers shaved seconds off each delivery by minimizing the number of left turns. By avoiding the left turn lane, the company saved 28 million miles, 31,000 metric tons of carbon-dioxide emissions and over 3 million gallons of gasoline.

Facing a projected $17 billion budget deficit, it's time for California's legislators to employ similar out-of-the-box thinking to solve our deficit. One innovative way that the state can save money is by exempting state agencies from cumbersome tax regulations.