California’s Democrat legislators must be salivating. To be so close to redistributing another roughly $1400 per family straight out of their budgets and into the state budget must be tantalizing to them – because, as everyone knows, politicians in Sacramento know how best to spend the money earned by working Californians, right? Never mind that we are in the middle of very difficult economic times, when raising taxes by this massive amount with be the deciding factor on why some California businesses close, why jobs are lost, why houses go into foreclosure, and more.
Fortunately for California taxpayers, Republican lawmakers get it. They understand that there is never a good time to raise taxes, and that there are certainly worse times to do so – and this is one of those times. The drive that Democrat lawmakers, and Governor Schwarzenegger, and a handful of GOPers have to pass this Big 5/Big Taxes budget plan that notoriously contains over $14 billion in new taxes on cars and car registrations, as well as sales and income taxes is amazing.
Last night, as he adjourned the State Senate until 10am this morning, State Senate President Darrell Steinberg told his colleagues to “bring their toothbrushes” as he literally planned on “locking in” legislators in the Senate Chambers until there is a budget deal. When I heard that, the first thought that came through my mind was, “How immature.”
**There is more – click the link**
February 17th, 2009 at 12:00 am
How taxes will stop the economy, I am fortunate enough to be in a position that over the next couple of months I could buy a new car. With the deals that are being offered I can actually reduce my current car payment and get a brand new car. This however makes sense under the current tax rates for registration and sales tax. If the rates go up I will not be buying a new car this spring. The economy remains unstimulated and the amount of tax the state will collect from me will be lower!
February 17th, 2009 at 12:00 am
What a great day for our party. A great day for FREEDOM.
Thank goodness Fleishman is keeping the spotlight on these guys.
February 17th, 2009 at 12:00 am
READ THE LOGUE OPINION PIECE TODAY AND THEN READ BUCK MCKEON.
Then tell me why Villines, Nielsen, Fletcher, Niello, and Adams are voting with the liberals.
This is such a no brainer.
February 17th, 2009 at 12:00 am
The budget fiasco in Sacramento can give the Republican leadership a chance to shine as the party that actual walks the talk regarding fiscal leadership and responsibility. Instead of just talking, the party must start seriously writing a measure for the ballot that will once and for all require fiscal constraint in Sacramento.
The current budget situation is not fair to the cities, counties, school districts and agencies that rely on funding from Sacramento. These groups must wait and see what Sacramento will give them. Something is not right there.
The voters are upset that while the Governor threatens furloughs and layoffs for State workers, the legislature that created this mess continues to get paid. Something must be done here too.
So here are some thoughts of mine and hopefully others will agree-
As we are most certainly aware, when Sacramento finally “solves” the budget situation, it will in fact, offer no real long term solutions. This is why the GOP, the party of less taxes and government, needs to step in and get an initiative on the ballot ASAP.
Let’s look at the facts-
Most of our legislature does not know how to balance a budget (That is shown every year by the smoke and mirror approach that we see during every budget). The problem continues to get pass to the next budget and forces future generations to deal with the mess that this generation of politicians has failed to properly solve. This needs to stop.
Fact-Most of our legislature can’t say no to enlarging existing or creating programs with no regards how to fund it. This needs to stop.
Fact-Special interest groups want more funding to pay for raises and such (I’m a Union member and I love raises like the next guy, but the best interest for this State comes with fiscal responsibility and constraint), and it’s hard to say no when those same groups help elect you. Fiscal constraint will show these groups exactly what is available for them.
The solution is simple-A voter (With Republican leadership) initiative (Since we know that most of our legislature couldn’t handle something like this) that would bring back a stable and fiscal responsible budget system for the state. The benefits? Quite obvious-The state, counties, cities, school districts and other agencies could actually plan on the future than relying on what Sacramento will take away from them to try to solve their fiscal mess. But most importantly, these reforms will make California into a strong state once again, a state that will, once again, attract businesses and attract new jobs. No more overexpansion of programs and creation of new programs, no more promising the world to special interests. No more threats of raising taxes and fees to pay for these increases. Just real common sense and fiscal responsibility and constraint.
The initiative-
Revenue projections-Pessimistic NOT optimistic (This would take a bit to getting use too, but it’s better to plan a budget where revenue projections are realistic) revenue projections would be used in projecting revenue for the state. Using optimistic (And most of the time, overly optimistic) projections end up creating programs and bloating others and when the projections for revenue fall short, the state finds it hard to cut back. Using a lower revenues projection will mostly eliminate that. What to do with that excess revenue brought in? Put it away for a rainy day fund. When that fund hits a certain level, a portion can be rebated back to the consumer.
Rainy day fund. This fund needs to be defined so that it cannot be raided for any reason. I would classify it as a fund to be used for emergencies, such as disasters, not the disasters when Sacramento overspends and now needs help to balance their budget.
Funding of programs. If the Sacramento wants to bloat or create a program/agency, they would be required to find the funds for that out of existing programs. They will not be able to raid the Rainy day fund for it.
Government watchdog for waste. A watchdog with power needs to be establish to go thru the different agencies and departments and find the waste and ways to improve efficiently. These reports would mandate change. Allow this to spread to any agency that receives state funding. Allow the state to check their operations and then mandate change. Any agency that refuses this, would not receive funds from the state. We need to be a watchdog for the taxpayers.
Legislature. I think most citizens are angered by the fact that our elected officials are getting paid during this mess, while state offices are being closed and workers are being threatened to be furlough. A simple solution-No pay for any State Office holder until the budget is solved and no payment for this lost wages after the budget is solved.
We deserve more than smoke and mirrors every year from the folks in Sacramento. We deserve REAL fiscal leadership and responsibility. The proposed measure would do such. Who is up for the challenge? Let’s get this or a similar measure on the ballot ASAP. And most important, let’s make the initiative simple and straightforward so the other side cannot smear it.