In California, a vote to scrap deductions could be kiss of death for endangered House Republicans

[sandensea]

Some of America's most important political races will be run next year in seven California congressional districts. That seems strange.

Normally, these contests would be obscure asterisks outside their local areas. The Republican incumbents would win, most of them comfortably. But these aren’t normal times: They’re Trump times.

A big factor in whether those California House Republicans survive could be how they vote on the GOP tax overhaul pending in Congress. Despite Republican leaders' claims that the legislation would cut taxes for most people, independent analysts say both rival bills have middle-class tax hikes written all over them.

That's particularly true in high-tax California because of the proposed elimination — or serious crimping — of state and local tax deductions on federal returns.

"I would think if Republicans manage to enact legislation that kills state and local tax deductions," says Darry Sragow, a longtime Democratic strategist, "they arguably are putting a deadly weapon to their foreheads — and pulling the trigger."

Even if the bill fails to pass but a Republican votes for it, Sragow adds, a Democratic rival can capitalize by claiming that the incumbent "doesn't stand with the voters. He votes 180 degrees opposite them."

Those seven endangered Republican House members include five from Southern California: Darrell Issa of Vista; Dana Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa; Mimi Walters of Irvine; Ed Royce of Fullerton; and Steve Knight of Palmdale. The other two are from the San Joaquin Valley: David Valadao of Hanford and Jeff Denham of Turlock.

What all seven have in common — and a big reason analysts think they’re vulnerable in next year’s elections — is that their districts voted for Democrat Hillary Clinton over Republican Trump.

At: http://beta.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-sac-skelton-salt-deductions-california-republicans-20171113-story.html
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I should note that California's state property tax rate - about 1.25%, depending on your county - isn't high at all.

But when your home's assessed at $750,000 or more (as many in Cali are), that means your ability to deduct said tax may now be limited.

[rufus dog]

1. OC will turn blue

Mimi Walters and Issa will lose their seats. Rohrbacher should lose for being the representative for Russia. Walters and Issa represent area with the property tax rate is closer to 1.5 to 1.75%. And they live in areas that went for HRC in 2016. Issa barely got by in 2016, he is toast for sure, Walters is a tRump supporting fool. She lives in one district and represents another. NEVER HEARD ABOUT THAT UNTIL THE GA SPECIAL ELECTION DIDYA! (Oh but that was a Dem)

We have much fewer of the racist Repukes but many more of the what's in it for me Repukes.

[sandensea]

2. Your word to God's ear.

No one would deserve it better than Grand Theft Issa.

[customerserviceguy]

3. This is why I've been saying all along

Don't worry about the tax bills, you will never get a majority of GOP'ers to agree on anything, certainly not in both houses of Congress.

Tax reform is much, much more difficult than "repeal and replace" of the ACA, and we all saw how that turned out for them.

[David__77]

4. The issue is also the state income tax deduction.

Its elimination would establish a preference for taxing property rather than income.

[roamer65]

5. You folks out there should tar them with it even if it doesnt become law.

Guilt by association.