I wonder if legislative Democrats realize how good they got it in this current budget revision deal? When you consider the fact that state government has a shortfall of over a quarter of its current fiscal year general fund budget, and that raising taxes or fees were quite literally off the table, it was looking like this would be the "day of reckoning" for the big-spending liberals that have dominated state government for so many decades. After year after year of catering to the state’s massive public employee unions — and dropping a seemingly endless supply of other people’s money into one social program after another — somehow Senate President Darrell Steinberg and Assembly Speaker Karen Bass pulled the proverbial rabbit out of the hat.
Let me say from the outset that we can thank the resolve of Governor Schwarzenegger and our Republican legislator that we do not have any tax increases in current budget deal. Clearly they were listening when taxpayers rejected the massive tax increases on the May special election ballot. The Governor also gets a lot of kudos for quickly coming out of the gate after that election with a proposal that laid out a path for a non-tax increase comprehensive solution to the budget shortfall.
All of that said, Californians get what they ask for by sending Democrat majorities to the State Legislature. Clearly the end result of the "negotiations" was that while over half of the shortfall is dealt with responsibly, with real cuts (not as many permanent cuts as are needed, but still permanent cuts in the billions). But there is no getting around the fact that this deal is filled with billions of dollars in gimmicks and borrowing that is shameful — and guarantees that by the Spring or maybe the Summer, we’ll be back at this again, dealing with a budget shortfall.
**There is more – click the link**
July 21st, 2009 at 12:00 am
The whole package needs to go back to the drawing board regarding $3 Billion raid from cities and counties and find dollar savings in the Democrats “Safety Net” audience.
The budget deal smacks to the Republicans and the GOP should not be suckered into a deal to satisfy Bass and Steinberg demands.
July 21st, 2009 at 12:00 am
Relax….it is a done deal…
You will see agonizing budget deliberations for many moons….get used to it….
The only way to change direction is run a candidate with conviction, proven leadership skills, never ever flip flopped, paid his dues at the local level.
That person is out there…..
July 21st, 2009 at 12:00 am
Where’s the leadership here? I see no fiscal leadership. We’ll continue to be screwed by Sacramento. The republicans HAD the chance to show real leadership and fight for real reform, but apaprently it’s the same old smoke and mirrors. Where is the backbone? So Sacramento will raid from schools, counties and cities with the promise to pay it all back. How are they going to do that if they can’t even get their mess straighten up. Shame on all.