The budget impasse has now become a full-fledged capitol circus. Even the Drudge Report had a link to a story reporting the situation has devolved into a “food fight,” metaphorically and somewhat literally after Governor Schwarzenegger criticized lawmakers for advancing legislation relating to blueberry commissions and pomegranate juice standards amidst the budget crisis.
Responsible legislators have been calling for the legislature to set aside non-budget related legislation until the state solves its $26 billion deficit. Considering the severity of the problem—the governor has declared a state of emergency—that would be the reasonable thing to do. Instead, Democrats are irresponsibly continuing with committee hearings and floor sessions, voting on bills that will further regulate citizens and spend their tax dollars. This leaves one wondering whether leadership truly understands just how precarious the situation is. As they debate whether to establish Harvey Milk Day, California’s credit rating was reduced to humiliating lows. While they vote on making it harder for citizens to qualify ballot initiatives, banks are refusing to accept the state’s IOUs.
At this point, Democrats’ behavior isn’t just irresponsible, it verges on malfeasance, a willful disregard for the law and a prioritizing of their agenda ahead of what’s best for the state.
In the weeks since the special election tax increases were voted down, Governor Schwarzenegger has finally started to sound and act like the reformer he initially campaigned as. It’s unfortunate that it’s taken a state crisis in order for the governor to initiate fundamental government reforms, but at least the governor is trying to prevent California from reaching this point again by proposing such reforms.
Obviously the Democrats aren’t happy with changing the status quo, as evidenced by Speaker Karen Bass’ boycotting budget meetings, and the petty sniping of other Democrats. Bass reportedly is boycotting the meetings because the governor is focusing on reforms and not the budget. Madam Speaker, it’s because of rampant government waste that we are in this fiscal hole. Now, when the state is broke and politicians have an incentive to make changes, is the exact time to focus on reforms. The severity of this disease calls not for a band-aid fix, but a surgeon’s knife.
Senator Dean Florez joined in on ridiculing the governor’s proposed reforms, "The governor’s turned from an action hero into just another politician. He should really, really take a course on fundamental government on how the legislature works. The fact that he doesn’t understand these things worries me."
Actually, Governor Schwarzenegger is finally acting like an action hero for taxpayers by refusing to approve any tax increases—it’s fee-increasing Democrats who are the typical politicians. Business owners and individual taxpayers are worried that their “representatives” in Sacramento don’t seem to understand that when the people send a message (No more taxes!), their legislators should abide by that instead of trying to subvert the law with their majority-vote “fee” increases.
It’s not foolish or improper for the governor to want fundamental reforms in the midst of this unprecedented fiscal crisis. In fact, it’s exactly what Californians elected all their leaders to do: reform a bloated and wasteful bureaucracy.
July 9th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Only three of the 16 “reform” proposals have anything to do with this year’s budget. So let’s focus on the problem at hand — that’s what the Democrats are asking the Governor to do.
By the way, how long do you think your newfound love for Governor Flip-Flop is going to last?
July 9th, 2009 at 12:00 am
The problem with Democrats is there is NEVER enough money. The taxpayers are going to send in almost $80 BILLION this year. Just ten years ago we ran the state on $58 billion so they need to do what the average families are doing these days: Roll up their sleeves and make the best use of the money that is available.
John