Plastered all over the news today are stories about 10,000 layoffs in the State workforce. That might be signficant, but can it be understood on it own? No.

We need to ask: how many employees, new, were hired by the State since 2004. I have heard the number 50,000 thrown around as the answer, but I don’t know. But if it is, then we are still 40,000 higher than we were, and it unlikely that anyone can put up a rationale defense that we needed the extra (insert number) of employees.… Read More

The system is beyond broken up Sacramento. The “Big 5” negotiate behind closed doors. Then they go present deals to their respective caucuses behind closed doors. It is certainly my hope that the next step in the process is that the legislators then leave their caucuses to their constituents, and to those public policy and political experts in whom place trust, before deciding to support or oppose a deal. I am sure I speak for a great many from the right, left and center when I say that a proposal of this magnitude should be a very considered one, and one where we can talk to our representatives when it matters, not after a deal (good or bad) is done.… Read More

This just off the transom from State Senator Dennis Hollingsworth:

“The tentative deal reported in the Sacramento Bee today, if supported by Republicans will be a disaster for all Californians, the state budget and for Republicans as a party. Punishing every Californian by increasing their taxes, especially in a time such as this, is not only wrong-headed for the economy, it is simply morally wrong to demand the people reach deeper into their wallets in order to continue to fuel the spending of state government. If this passes with Republican votes, there will be no reason for any Californian to vote for a Republican in the future. The people sent Republicans to Sacramento to be a blockade against tax increases. Once that wall crumbles, the will … Read More

Although this Californian may be more dramatic in his expression of frustration, I think many Californians canunderstand how he feels, especially when it comes to government’s unresponsiveness. We just want to be heard. … Read More

This just in from longtime FR friend Jamie Fisfis over at Chariot Research, a respected public opinion research company from the Bay Area that actually does quite a bit of world all over the globe. They are just out of the field with some survey data on California issues, and I think that the results are definitely worth looking over in the context of the current debate in Sacramento over how to deal with the financial shortfalls due to chronic overspending.

From Fisfis:

Chariot LLC just completed another statewide omnibus survey and the budget debate was one of our main focuses. We have fresh budget debate numbers and they are pretty decisive on the issue of how Californians want the crisis solved. By a 63%-25% margin, Californians believe in spending cuts rather than tax increases to solve the budget crisis – even when education is mentioned specifically. … Read More

Capitol staffers experienced some unique lobbying today: Valentine’s condoms courtesy of Planned Parenthood. In recent years I had heard Planned Parenthood takes the opportunity of Valentine’s Day to distribute condoms to capitol offices. But this year’s valentine didn’t just wish its recipients affection and love on February 14th, it also lobbied for continued funding. The packet pictured below contained several information sheets touting Planned Parenthood’s accomplishments, including just how much money it saves the state every year by preventing unintended pregnancies ($1.35 billions).

Using the tag line “a health budget = a healthy California,” the valentine implores lawmakers, “don’t break our hearts,” which one assumes means by cutting their piece of the budget pie.

And just in case legislators were concerned about having to answer to their spouses about listing condoms… Read More

This just in from longtime FR friend Jamie Fisfis over at Chariot Research, a respected public opinion research company from the Bay Area that actually does quite a bit of world all over the globe. They are just out of the field with some survey data on California issues, and I think that the results are definitely worth looking over in the context of the current debate in Sacramento over how to deal with the financial shortfalls due to chronic overspending.

From Fisfis:

Chariot LLC just completed another statewide omnibus survey and the budget debate was one of our main focuses. We have fresh budget debate numbers and they are pretty decisive on the issue of how Californians want the crisis solved. By a 63%-25% margin, Californians believe in spending cuts rather than tax increases to solve the budget crisis – even when education is mentioned specifically. … Read More

If you have been involved in multiple battles, statewide or local, to oppose taxes on the ballot, then you know that it is significantly more difficult to defeat measures that “seek to extend the life of an existing tax” than it is to stop the creation of a new tax.

Legislators flirting with the idea of voting to increase taxes “temporarily” (my good friend Assemblyman Martin Garrick can remind any legislators of the fallacy of raising taxes now, temporary or not) need to keep in mind that once it is created, there is a very good likelyhood that it will eventually become permanent.… Read More