Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger continues to be optimistic, at least publicly, that the special session of the Legislature now under way can come up with some real fixes for the state's hemorrhaging budget and flatlining economy. I don't know where he gets that, but I hope he's right.
The Republican leaders in the Legislature, Dave Cogdill and Mike Villines, have already said a flat "no" to the governor's idea for a sales tax increase. The majority Democrats are already muttering about the need to protect spending on their cherished programs. One of the Democratic leaders, Don Perata, who's the lamest of lame ducks right now, is still working his magic. His successor as Senate majority leader, Darrell Steinberg, is waiting in the wings for Perata's last hurrah, when he should be involved in the leadership talks on the budget in Perata's place.
So I'm pessimistic. But, as the governor told our editorial board in our meeting this morning, there is opportunity in crisis. He's right. When the house burns down to the foundation, we can finally build our dream home out of its rubble.
So what does the Bee suggest? Any concrete ideas? Of course, you endorsed our local incumbent Assembly members, including Villines, for re-election, so there's no accountability there.
For some reason, I believe the legislature will vote for some type of tax increase, regardless of what the citinzery thinks. All money problems have a quick solution for our state government: squeeze the taxpayers for more money. These folks do not try to overhaul the way how and on what is spent.
Come on Russ, of course he is optimistic to be otherwise is to throw in the towel before trying. That is not going to get anybody anywhere. A pessimistic attitude has hampered progress already; Republicans say no to taxes and Democrats want to protect spendings on programs. Both sides have already quit before they sit down. That is where the story is. I don't like Arnold as governor but his optimism is the only show of leadership I see in this article. The state is already in the throws of rubble; Arnold is the only one admitting it. He gets some more respect from me just from that.
Albert - I agree. I think they have waited so long that they have "painted themselves into a corner" and a tax increase is going to be the last ditch solution to bankrupting the state. The Republicans will blame the Democrats for the tax increase when all are to blame because they all refuse to change their ways.
Russ,
There is a story told of a room willed with poo. When shown the room, one chap bolted right off at the sight, while another jumped right in and started digging. When ask why, he told that with all that poo there had to be a pony.
MOI thinks you be the chap who bolted.
Right mean use of the 'burning house', you probably unhooked the hose before the firman got there, as you did when you closed your ears to the Governor today................tacky.
Optimism? Optimism is easy when it's not your money nor your debt, and your lifestyle is substantially protected from loss, and your assests from accountability.
Nontheless a sales tax increase will simple ad to the fire sales going on now. I just returned from TJ Maxx with a $160 pair of pants from Macy's for $10. I wonder where the beter tax return for the state would have come from (please don't ask any government-educated students to figure out the percentages . .)? Total sales taxes of $0.17 vs. $13.60. Hmmm. Let's help the retailers by adding some more sale's tax!
Wal-Mart will most likely do "OK" but want to compare the tax revenues similarly? Raising taxes in this market is going to be a short term, illusionary fix for what will be a long-term reduction in state and local tax revenue. We are just entereing a government-ensured depression as methods are being employed that stretched the Great Depression from 2 or 3 years into 10. Economic laws don't listen to politicians.
The fix? Radically cut state spending. Do we really need all those courses at the "adult school" where a quick visit shows that a large number of the English classes are being enjoyed by people on tourist visas from Asia? Let's long-term lease or sell the highways to the German firms that special in high-quality toll roads; they will be safer, cleaner, and provide needed instant revenue. More importantly, those who do not use them won't be paying for them. Ths is the way we have to start thinking, but the rich cronies in the Assembly and Senate will not be thinking that way, sadly. Pack your own toilet paper.
I think the spending habits of the California Legislature has put us in this situation. I have sympathy for our Governor, but I think it is a mistake to raise the sales tax. Businesses are already stressed to the hilt and retailers don't need any more to add to the detriment by higher taxes. It slows down business! It is unecessary and just another escalation of the wrong way to do business. I know the stress of our economy, but all or most of Californians are stressed. So, if the public can stress that there are limitations to expenditures and that we can't run ourselves into a hole. Maybe this is a good time to start pounding this type of rhetoric into peoples head! For Pete's sake, most of us are in a real recesssion!
Public employee unions and the Democratics in Sacramento have put us in this position so blame the Republicans for everything if you want...but you'd be wrong.State workers(you know who you are), PEU members, and any one sucking off the teets of the "CA Sow" should show us just how concerned they "really" are by taking cuts in benefits and pay.Until then...don't even talk about raising taxes on "anything".The mentioned groups are the "Rubble Makers" so show me how much you care.
All the comments so far listed have been bipartisan with the blame Brian so I don’t understand where you think the Republicans are being blamed for everything. I also question the supporting data on your argument that the public employee unions and Democrats are to blame. I don’t believe that the issue is so simplistic. I do know that the employee unions have been a catch all excuse that legislatures have used to deflect the criticism of the budget fiasco and their putting partisan politics before the needs of the State (i.e. Propaganda). State benefits have been over estimated in the media. For example, I don’t use the State health benefits because I can get better benefits at a cheaper price elsewhere. Speaking to my own job classification (though this is true of many); my wage rate is 25% below market rates in California for the same job. My retirement benefits were reduced when I moved out of the private sector into State service so the argument doesn’t fly there either. Why should one sector of the population of the State be made to pay for the financial mistakes of both the Democrat and Republican parties? I have never used any of the other public special programs available that also drain the resources of the State. Should public employees solely pay the burden the electricity crisis that hit our state that started the long fall? Legislative pork projects? Nationwide credit crisis that has impacted State income and the ability to sell bonds? 911? I think you need to think it out a bit more is all. Or not.
Kim...nobody is paying one penny of my healthcare,retirement,vacation,sick days,etc. but myself.If "Duh Bee" really wanted to practice journalism they would give us a scorecard on all the pay/benefits public employees receive depending on their jobs and/or classification.I maintain grounds for two libraries run by the county but other than taxed wages I receive zero benefits so I understand it may be different based on classification.Are you willing to give up anything? If so...What?
"...nobody is paying one penny of my healthcare,retirement,vacation,sick days,etc. but myself"
Now that I doubt. Do you have a couple million socked away in case of catastrophic illness or injury?
Mike.D.Why would you doubt me.I'm self employed with catastrophic coverage and working on my second million dollars.Does that show a dependence on government...and if so how.I'm one of the givers not the takers...and you?
How much are Californians paying in benefits to the ex-lawmakers? Those numbers should be in the astronomical by now? Where in the private sector does one walk away from a job after 2 to 8 years and receive benefits. In this family; 9.5 years of retirement (part of wages) were lost when being forced to switch jobs. That some of the pension must be paid after 5 years, that law came after having lost those nearly ten years. And the ironic part is that we had paid income tax on that money. Of course, there was not enough time left to accrue the required years for a full pension. It is true that all too many working people are on the bottom of the totem, who have to schlep the upper layers.
But I believe that one must be a California resident to attend "Adult School". I know when I took classes (other than English) I had to identify myself and furnish a Social Security number. I doubt that tourists can gat a US SSN.
Brian - I thought I had been clear at what I am already been giving up. Income and benefits as well as the flexibility of being self employed (which I have been in the past). Am I suffering? No. I've made my choices as have you. My point is. Why should one sector of the population of the State be made to pay for the sins of the whole? Especially based on a misconception that they have it better than everybody else. As for your second question, I have never taken anything I did not work hard for and earn.
Oh, so you have insurance coverage? Then you aren't providing for all your care out of your own funds. Insurance is a way of spreading the risk and costs of care, as I'm sure you well know. So is government-provided health care. Just a different means to the same ends.
I'd still like an answer to my question Brian. Why should one sector, government employees, be made to pay for the fiscal mistakes of both the Democrats and Republicans as well as the financial impacts of world events? You claim employee unions have caused the "rubble" and employees should give up benefits and pay. I have shown you that I am not one of the takers either and yet as a government employee your answer is to have me pay.
Once again Brian you've sidestepped the meat of the issue. I didn't think you'd answer my question. Cheap rhetoric when you spout something and don't back it up. Avoiding the real issues? Is that your modus operandi?