Posted on 05/17/2009 3:36:22 PM PDT by Libloather
Prop. 1A foes protest ahead of election
By Hiram Soto Staff Writer
2:00 a.m. May 17, 2009
DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO — Shrugging off warnings of deep cuts in state services and a gaping budget deficit, protesters turned out yesterday on the last weekend before Tuesday's special election to rally against Proposition 1A, the most contentious of the six state ballot measures.
The crowd of about 200 gathered at a so-called “tea party” at Spanish Landing Park on Harbor Drive to protest the measure, which proposes a two-year extension of temporary increases in sales taxes, car registrations and income tax.
Thousands of people in San Diego County have participated in similar protests against taxes and government spending policies as part of “tea parties” around the nation.
“We are tired of politicians raising taxes every time they get into financial trouble,” said Leslie Eastman, an event organizer and co-founder of the Southern California Tax Revolt Coalition.
“They should be focusing on cutting spending and not raising taxes in the middle of a financial crisis.”
Supporters of Proposition 1A acknowledge the measure is not a solution to the budget crisis but rather a way to prevent the state from implementing deep cuts to a wide range of programs and services.
“Those who are arguing otherwise frankly are not living in reality,” said spokeswoman Julie Soderlund from the Budget Reform Now Coalition, an umbrella organization that supports propositions 1A through 1F.
Proposition 1A attempts to smooth out the state's volatile revenue picture by imposing restraints on future spending and requiring that surplus revenues in good years be placed in a reserve fund to be used during economic downturns.
It also would give the governor greater authority to reduce certain types of spending without legislative approval. Its most controversial feature is a two-year extension of $16 billion in temporary tax increases that are scheduled to expire in 2011.
The other measures propose borrowing against future lottery revenue and tapping funds set aside for other programs, among other things. Recent polls showed all the budget measures failing.
Even if the measures pass, California still would face a $15 billion deficit for the fiscal year that begins in July. If the measures fail, the deficit would be least $21 billion.
After yesterday's demonstration, several protesters drove to another anti-tax event in Corona. Among the protesters was Riverside County Supervisor Jeff Stone, chairman of the NoWay1A campaign.
“As (Gov. Arnold) Schwarzenegger once said, this is not a revenue problem, but a spending problem, and unfortunately he has failed to restrain spending,” Stone said.
Many in the crowd of about 200 had voted for the Republican governor when he replaced then-Gov. Gray Davis in 2003 after voters recalled Davis amid a state budget crisis. Now some were signing petitions to recall Schwarzenegger.
“I'm fed up with all of these tax hikes,” said Rich Green, who works for an information-technology company and who signed one of the petitions.
“I don't mind paying taxes as long as it is properly spent, and they have wasted all of this money for so long. Enough is enough.”
• Proposition 1A, which increases the required “rainy day” fund, may limit spending and extends temporary taxes (one-cent sales tax, vehicle license fee increases and higher income tax for top wage earners) enacted by Gov. Schwarzenegger and the Legislature earlier this year.
• Proposition 1B, which provides additional funding to schools if Prop. 1A also is approved.
• Proposition 1C, which modernizes the state lottery and allows the state to borrow against future lottery profits.
• Proposition 1D, which moves a portion of revenues from tobacco tax (Prop. 10) to the general fund.
• Proposition 1E, which redirects a portion of Proposition 63 revenues to the general fund.
• Proposition 1F, which would bar elected officials from receiving pay increases during deficit years.
Propositions 1A through 1E are all about tax increases you already voted on... (Props & dates noted)
NO 1A - "Rainy day" fund - extends HIGHER taxes of 2009 budget until the end of 2012
NO 1B - (Prop 98, 1988, 1990) taxes voted for education goes to GENERAL FUND
NO 1C - (Prop 87, 1984) allows for borrowing against future lottery earnings
NO 1D - (Prop 10, 1998 Rob Reiner Tobacco Fund) puts education taxes into GENERAL FUND
NO 1E - (Prop 63, 2004) transfers taxes for mental health into GENERAL FUND
YES for NO! 1F - VOTE 'YES' IF YOU DO NOT WANT LEGISLATOR PAY RAISES (during budget deficits) - Proposition 1F is about no pay raises for legislators in the years when there is no balanced budget
Prop1A will cost the average CA family an additional $1000 to $1200 annually, and will extend these tax increases for an additional two years, The so called “cap”on spending can be waived rather easily, and the rainy day fund (if any) can be raided by any governor for any reason.
They think we are stupid!
Stand firm, and vote NO.
Amen.... just say “no”!
When will the opportunity come to recall that Austrian actor... R.O.T. (Recall Our Terminator)
Well, ahem, since you asked. Go here to read how to download the petition and sign for a recall: http://totalrecall2009.com/ Download the petition, and circulate. Send it back to the address at the bottom of the petition.
My goodness.... the opportunity to boot the Dream Team and the silk-suited suckups!
Thanks!
Thanks for the petition. Taking it to the coffee shop tomorrow.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.