The Roundup from Capitol Weekly offers this interesting quote from Adam
Mendelsohn, political strategist for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger: "In some instances, a loss is as much a mandate as a win," said Mendelsohn. "It's clear that he carries a mandate to cut the California budget down to the bone."
That's the kind of talk that Republicans want to hear from the GOP governor. Sounds like no program will be exempted from big budget cuts if the governor has his way.
Meanwhile, Democratic leader Darrell Steinberg, who runs the state Senate, isn't quite sure, although he admits there will be budget cuts. Here's more from Steinberg via the Roundup: Steinberg is "wary of such broad pronouncements," but acknowledges that cuts will have to be a big part of the next phase.
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=6760
This is how San Francisco voted.
In light of the reality check our Speaker of the House is experiencing with any cooresponding need that should develop, voters their have opted for maintaining a mental health fund by rejecting measure 1E.
Questions for California:
1. What is the correct formula for taxes? How much sales tax? How much gas tax? How much property tax? How much driver license tax?
2. Prop 13 continues to come up as the reason the state is in bad shape. But, what is wrong with property tax being linked with the price people payed for their homes?
3. Why can't the state live on the taxes they receive? I don't understand why they need a higher sales tax, gas tax, license tax. If more people move into the state and need more services, aren't they adding to the coffers of the state? Why does the percentage need to increase?
4. If someone could explain to me why a base rate for all these taxes can't be found and lived on by the state, I would like to hear it.
5. In Fresno we have added taxes for the library, the zoo, etc.
6. When will enough be enough? By the way, we could cut some of the motorcycle revenue generators in North Fresno who proclaim to be public safety officers on motorcycles.
His strategist say he got the message?
Some strategist, this message has been coming for a long, long time.
Hold on Governor Schwarzenegger sir, we have one more ballot with your name on it!
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/05/gov-arnold-schwarzenegger-is-having-a-difficult-year-what-with-multi-billiondollar-deficits-and-foundering-ballot-measure-c.html
With all these cuts and with all the taxes that I've already paid I guess I'll be getting some kind of refund because of the reduction in services that I paid for.That's what my customers would expect from me...I just couldn't take their money and do nothing for them.