Today the Republican Party here in California is at a crossroads.
We watched from here in the Golden State while the GOP’s brand name was severely damaged by a Republican President and Senate and House majorities earlier this decade, when with GOP control, our party “presided” over growth in the size and scope of the federal government. Credibility is now an issue for our party, because our rhetoric did not match our actions.
Today, on a holiday weekend, on Valentine’s Day no less, at night, the State Legislature will gather in the State Capitol to vote on a state budget deal that is really, really bad news for California taxpayers and their families – the center point of this place is $14.8 billion in new taxes (more like $70 billion in new taxes over five years if all of the taxpayer-pain envisioned in this plan comes to fruition). I won’t spend time in this column blasting away at the poor policy reasons to oppose this plan, Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, Jon Coupal with the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and John Kabateck with the National Federation of Independent Business – California, do a fine job of that on the FlashReport today.
**There is more – click the link**
February 14th, 2009 at 12:00 am
The leaders had better resign or be removed before this vote today. They have sold us out for the sake of political expediency. If all the members of the caucus don’t do this today, they will be as guilty as Villines and Cogdill for enabling them to get us to this point. This deal is absolutely toxic and comes at a time when we really need to repair our brand name. The voters have already lost confidence in our party the last few years. If this deal passes, we really have no good reason for being in exixtence anymore in CA.
February 14th, 2009 at 12:00 am
It’s said : ” So as California goes; so goes the rest of the nation”. That is why over-spending,high taxes and a hostile business climate must end here and now for California and America. Sincerely, Mike Morrell
February 14th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Instead of just talk, do something about it. Has anyone started to look into writing a measure for the ballot to control Sacramento? Here are my thoughts-
As we are most certainly aware, when Sacramento finally “solves” the budget situation, it will in fact, offer no real long term solutions. This is why the GOP, the party of less taxes and government, needs to step in and get an initiative on the ballot ASAP.
Let’s look at the facts-Most of our legislature does not know how to balance a budget (That is shown every year by the smoke and mirror approach that we see during every budget situation).
Fact-Most of our legislature can’t say no to enlarging existing or creating programs with no regards how to fund it.
Solution-A voter lead initiative (Since we know that most of our legislature couldn’t handle something like this) that would bring back a stable and fiscal responsible budget system for the state. The benefits? Quite obvious-The state, counties, cities, school districts agencies could actually plan on the future than relying on what Sacramento will take away from them now to try to solve their fiscal mess. But most importantly, these reforms will make California into a strong state once again, a state that will, once again, attract businesses and attract new jobs.
The initiative-
Revenue projections-Pessimistic NOT optimistic revenue projections would be used in projecting revenue for the state. Using optimistic projections end up creating programs and bloating others and when the projections for revenue fall short, the state finds it hard to cut back. Using a lower revenues projection will mostly eliminate that. What to do with that excess revenue brought in? Put it away for a rainy day fund. When that fund hits a certain level, a portion can be rebated back to the consumer.
Rainy day fund. This fund needs to be defined so that it cannot be raided for whatever reason. I would classify it as a fund to be used for emergencies, such as disasters, not the disasters when Sacrament overspends and now needs help to balance their budget.
Funding of programs. If the Sacramento wants to bloat or create a program/agency, they would be required to find the funds for that out of existing programs. They will not be able to raid the Rainy day fund for it.
Government watchdog for waste. A watchdog with power needs to be establish to go thru the different agencies and departments and find the waste and ways to improve efficiently. These reports would mandate change. Allow this to spread to any agency that receives state funding. Allow the state to check their operations and then mandate change. Any agency that refuses this, would not receive funds from the state. We need to be a watchdog for the taxpayers.
Legislature. I think most citizens are angered by the fact that our elected officials are getting paid during this mess, while state offices are being closed and workers are being threatened to be furlough. A simple solution-No pay for any State Office holder until the budget is solved and no payment for this lost wages after the budget is solved.
We deserve more than smoke and mirrors every year from the folks in Sacramento. We deserve REAL fiscal leadership and responsibility. The proposed measure would do such. Who is up for the challenge? Let’s get this or a similar measure on the ballot ASAP. Let’s make the initiative simple and straightforward so the other side cannot smear it.
February 14th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Jon is absolutely correct. Today’s budget vote will be known as the Valentine’s Day Massacre that killed the Republican Party. Those who vote for this budget are killing all hope of real spending reform in the forseeable future.
Once the “temporary” taxes are in place, they will stay around forever, even if we defeat the ballot measure. When the next spending crisis hits, as it inevitably will, the “baseline” of government spending will be much higher and the crisis will be much worse. That is not reform.
February 14th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Convince Chuck Devore to find other employment. Remove the Republican leadership in the legislature as well as every admin position in the party…baristas and barbers could do a better job!!
Every Republican legislature person should be challenged in the primary to clean house on thses whimps….
February 14th, 2009 at 12:00 am
So far, no ideas on how to close the budget deficit.
February 14th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Well Bob, I may not be able to produce a specific comprehensive budget, but I do know the following things:
1) California’s state government has grown by an average of 48 jobs/day since 1999.
2) K-12 spending continues to go up in spite of declining enrollment.
3) the number of state employees that make more than $200K/year has grown exponentially since Arnold took office, and the number of state employees making in excess of $100K has also markedly increased.
4) the service that I and every (legal) resident receives from the state has not gotten any better for all the extra spending.
So you might start there!
and finally:
5) if this steaming pile of crap called a compromise passes, I will never vote for another Republican candidate for anything in California.