FLASHREPORT

Clearly, we need to spend more on education than we already are, given the last two posts on the state budget here on Flash.

The chart by the Republican Caucus is deceptive; you're comparing a budget from TWO years ago to one for the next fiscal year (so it's not "last year's" budget). Fiscal years 05-06 and 06-07 mysteriously vaporized from the Republican analysis.

Yesterday, you wrote that General Fund spending increased from $50.3 billion to $103 billion over 10 years and said that was an increase of "202 percent." Again, your math is off. It's slightly over 100% over 10 years, not much greater than the rate of inflation. And considering much of the increase is due to health care cost increases and funding increases for education desired by the voters, that ain't too shabby.

Steven:

Regardless! Spending is still spending!

The Democrats wreckless budget has no accountability on the spending end.

Why can't you accept the 3.7% increase, which is the same percentage on the core inflation rate?

Did the Democrats make any over-reaching promises to the Union crowd?

Funny reading that -- considering the massive spending increases in Washington DC under a Republican president and these increases under a Republican Governor.

Anyway...let's start with corrections.

Republicans believe that the best way to reduce crime is to stick people in prisons -- hence the massive increase in corrections spending. Do you want to cut that?
How about law enforcement, for John's former employer, the Sheriffs. Should we cut that?

The largest growth in spending is in education -- and that's because the voters approved Prop 98. Do you want to repeal that?

Enough with the overheated rhetoric. The GOP hasn't released their list of cuts because they know it would be hugely unpopular. Put some someshine on where you want to cut and let the court of public opinion decide if that reflects the values of Californians.

Steven:

Laugh all you want. Stop changing the subject about Washington DC and the GOP President.

Focus on Sacramento problems and challenges, you work for Speaker Nunez and not Speaker Pelosi, right?

You expect us to believe your word on YOUR definition of a cut? Oh please! I have not seen any cuts in the proposed budget vs the previous year budget.

It is all about responsible budgeting with projected outlays considering the revenues of current economic conditions.

A mature 3.7% inflationary rate is reasonable, not some magical number the Democrats have come up with by being coy with the GOP on crafting a compromise!

There is no need to get personal by interjecting John's former employer, which is not central in this budget debate.

At this point, it appears that the Democrats have lost all leverage in this budget process.

This chart is also misleading in that it implies that education and health and human services have received disproportionate increases in spending. In fact, education and health and human services have received a smaller share of the increase in spending than they would have received if new money had been allocated across-the-board. The real "winners" are prisons and transportation.

Jean Ross
California Budget Project

"General Fund spending increased from $50.3 billion to $103 billion ... over 10 years, not much greater than the rate of inflation."

$50.3 Billion in 1997 = $65.3 Billion in 2007.

Where do you get your numbers?