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

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
________________________________________________________

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.