Assemblyman Mike Villines has sent out a letter to the State GOP’s Executive Committee meeting, predictably asking the State GOP to do what only seven Republican Legislators (our of 45) in the State Capitol have done, and that is to endorse Proposition 1A.  FR readers will recall, quite easily, that Villines (along with Governor Schwarzenegger, Senate President Darrell Steinberg, Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, and then-Senate GOP leader Dave Cogdill) was an architect of the February budget proposal that purported to "solve" our state’s fiscal woes through cuts and tax increases.  Villines was one of six Republican legislators to vote for a deal which has hatched these ballot measures, the most controversial of which is Proposition 1A. 

1A is the measure where Villines asks you to support it (and the $16 billion in additional taxes on Californians that come with its passage) in return for a "spending cap" that he says in his letter below that 1A will, "provide a permanent solution to stop the spending madness and force our government to finally live within its means."

The problem is that we are forced to take the word of a legislator who took a voluntary pledge never to support a tax increase over some pretty reputable people who don’t agree with Villines’ assessment that the cap in 1A would actual reign in state overspending…  Some of those who completely disagree with Villines include (click on the name to see their argument)…  Jon Coupal with the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, Lew Uhler with the National Tax Limitation Committee, Steve Moore with the Wall Street Journal, Ben Zycher with the Pacific Research Institute, and Grover Norquist with Americans for Tax Reform.  These are all proven tax fighters and seekers of spending reform that have every reason to jump for joy if 1A really delivered on the promises made by Villines below.

Well, here’s Villines ten cents:

April 17, 2009

Dear Fellow Republican,

As you probably know, I came up through the conservative ranks of our party, and I spent many weekends walking precincts for Republicans who, like me, believe that our party is the best hope for the American taxpayer.

And, now more than ever, Republicans need to stand firm on protecting taxpayers – which includes ending once and for all the spending binge that Sacramento has been on for the past decade. The fact is that the lessons over the past decade have taught us that we must attack the spending problem at its source.  Going budget-to-budget in a piecemeal fashion has only resulted in more spending and debt.

Instead, we need wholesale changes that will provide a permanent solution to stop the spending madness and force our government to finally live within its means.  Only then will taxpayers be truly protected, which is why many conservatives are joining me in supporting Proposition 1A.

Now, I know that we’ll debate this issue at the upcoming Republican Party Executive Committee meeting.  And I know that there are some Republicans who are unhappy because the passage of Proposition 1A also consummates the recently enacted budget deal that included temporary tax increases. The reality is that the liberals already have enough votes to continue their dominance in Sacramento, which means that Republicans cannot achieve a 100% victory.  Instead, we have to fight to make important gains where gains can be made.

Proposition 1A represents a significant victory for taxpayers at a time when our state needs it most.  Proposition 1A ties the hands of legislative liberals, and it forces our budget into a fixed formula and a hard spending cap.  That means, for the first time in decades, that liberals will have to make tough spending choices and cut their pet projects.

It also means the taxpayers will no longer be treated like a giant ATM machine. Consider this fact: if we had Prop 1A in place today, our state would not be $31 billion in the red.  Instead, our state would have a much more manageable $5.4 billion budget gap.  That means that during the worst economic recession since the Great Depression, Proposition 1A would have ensured that our budget gap was manageable.  That’s the proof that Proposition 1A protects taxpayers.

Here’s the bottom line:  without Proposition 1A, taxpayers will continue to be subjected to the spending whims of the liberal majority, and based on past history, that means more debt…and higher taxes. While some of my fellow conservatives decry that the solution is not perfect, we also need to remember that our ability to influence the process is not absolute.

Proposition 1A represents wholesale changes in our state’s spending habits.  And, believe me, in this tough economy, we can no longer afford the tax-and-spend mentality in Sacramento that has driven businesses from our state.

I hope you will join me in supporting Proposition 1A.  Please take the time to understand this issue and consider the options – especially the consequences – if we don’t pass a spending cap and if there’s no change in Sacramento.

Proposition 1A gives taxpayers the protection we need.  As Republicans, we need to grasp this opportunity to deliver real change.

Sincerely,

Mike Villines
Assemblyman 29th District

This entry was posted on Friday, April 17th, 2009 at 12:00 am and is filed under Blog Posts.