The Legislative Analyst, Elizabeth Hill, has once again issued a report where she is VERY concerned about the structural deficit of the State of California. Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines (pictured) responded to her alarming report by saying:
“Assembly Republicans are encouraged by the nonpartisan legislative analyst’s projection of a larger than expected $3.1 billion budget reserve at the end of the current budget year. However, we take very seriously her forecast of a $5.5 billion shortfall next year and large projected future deficits as a warning sign of budget danger lurking ahead.
Though California has made progress in reducing the size and severity of our state’s fiscal problems, today’s report shows that much work remains to be done if we are to truly eliminate the deficit once and for all. With a decline in the housing market, slowing state economy and public pension crisis on the horizon, we must take responsible action now if we are to meet our looming fiscal challenges.
One thing is clear – this is not the time to return our state to the days of the runaway overspending that got our state into this budget mess in the first place. Now more than ever, lawmakers and the governor must resist the temptation to create costly new government programs that California simply cannot afford.
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November 17th, 2006 at 12:00 am
The Governor is, “fiscally conservative, socially moderate, and environmentally progressive…”. This description is focus group tested positioning. He is all things to all people.
The Governor is telling people what they want to hear. No new taxes AND he’s going to insure at least half our children.
The reality is he did not break up the boxes, fix the mess in Sacramento, or address the structural deficit. With the promises he is making now, how can he possibly fulfill the promises he’s made before?