This just in: In solving state fiscal problems, the Governor has called for some new measures, some highlights:
"In these difficult times our state cannot simply afford another "business as usual" budget process. Our government has used that approach far too often in the past. Spending, borrowing, and taxes have increased at unsustainable rates, limiting our ability to provide for our citizens and damaging our business climate. Combined with the impact of high property taxes and a declining manufacturing base, the result…our former neighbors have left the state in search of jobs and opportunities they cannot find here at home.
…There are two problems in particular that we must address to help get spending under control:
-First, once a program is added to the state budget, it becomes extremely difficult to remove it, regardless of whether the intiative is effective or essential. Taxpayers are forced to pay for funding decisions that were approved years or decades ago. And spending…has increased year after year, usually beyond the rate of inflation.
-Second, when analyzing the state budget, stakeholders usually imply that reducing the rate of projected growth in funding is a "cut." This thinking has impeded numerous attempts to halt unsustainable spending growth. If a private corporation had used this type of accounting, it would have gone out of business years ago.
…Now, I am asking that you put forward a a budget request that keeps…spending flat compared to ’08-’09 levels.
…Certainly, some agency expenses-such as for food, fuel, and health care-have rapidly increased compared to last year. Yet…families have had to face these same rising costs…We cannot continue making excuses for why the state is unwilling to limit its expenses at a time when hard-working taxpayers are forced to do the same thing everyday.
Change is never easy. But it is unavoidable if we want to stem the tide of unsustainable spending growth [and] job losses…this is a task we must begin immediately. I look forward to restore the principle of fiscal responsibility to our state government."
Right on, great statement. I credit our Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines for finding and forwarding this to me, as he hangs tight for these same principles in negotiations in this budget battle we have.
By the way, this slightly edited statement, as a result of a reality check on state operations and costs and failing budgets was made by the Governor of New York, the newly minted David Paterson, a liberal Democrat, asking in a letter to his state agency heads to "make due." He gets it, we in California should too.