California State Budget Picture Is Grim (Post-Election Bad News)

Los Angeles Times ^ | 10/24/03 | Matea Gold, Evan Halper, Nancy Vogel

[goldstategop]

Still, he insisted that the state would be able to balance its books without raising taxes, a pledge he made repeatedly in his campaign to unseat Gov. Gray Davis. "Oh yes, absolutely," Schwarzenegger said....

Senate Republican Leader Jim Brulte, who played a major role in putting together the $13 billion in borrowing that helped balance the current year's budget, called Angelides' comments about the bonds alarmist. He said state attorneys and outside bond counsel are confident that the financing will survive legal challenges.

"If the treasurer had doubts ... he should have voiced them during the budget process," Brulte said.

[goldstategop]

Freepers and Friends, California's budget picture is grim. Even Arnold was taken aback by what he heard. But he is NOT going back on his no tax increase pledge, even though he didn't sign one.

[ambrose]

I thought the LA Slimes said everything was just fine. I guess it is "grim" now that Arnold is in. Typical...

[Lancey Howard]

I sure hope this Chicken Litttle stuff isn't the start of a new propaganda stream designed to soften the impact of Arnold reneging on his promise to not raise taxes. That is, I hope we don't start to hear this kind of stuff from "anonymous" GOP sources.....

If the rats want to warn that the sky is falling, then they are basically trumpeting their own incompetence.

[DoctorZIn]

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[stands2reason]

I sure hope this Chicken Litttle stuff isn't the start of a new propaganda stream designed to soften the impact of Arnold reneging on his promise to not raise taxes.

Suuuuure. The LA Times wants to make things easier for Arnold. LOL!

[ambrose]

SACRAMENTO - Gov.-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger got a grim briefing on California's budget Thursday, and emerged appearing sobered and calling the state's financial condition "disastrous."

You know what THAT means. We knew this would be coming... I just didn't think it would be THIS soon...

[goldstategop]

Ya think? They hid the truth from us til after the election. Good thing we kicked Davis' butt out. Now we're watching to see if Arnold can tackle the next to impossible and turn California around.

[ambrose]

Nothing was "hidden" from us - Tom McClintock was warning about this fiasco for the entire campaign.

[goldstategop]

Of course he did. No disrespect to Tom. I have in mind Democratic officialdom that can't seem to level with the public til after the fact.

[TheAngryClam]

It's... AN EMERGENCY!

One of my friends (an Arnold sellout) and I have a bet going on whether or not he'd raise taxes, and we needed to define "tax" for the purposes of the bet, as we wanted to exclude stuff like bridge tolls, but not other "fees" like the car tax.

Our standard? Any fee or tax increase that Tom McClintock objects to.

And just remember everyone- don't blame me, I voted for McClintock!

[TheAngryClam]

I'm starting a "Schwarzenegger Tax Hike Warning Sign" Ping list.

This is the first of what promises to be many...

[goldstategop]

Arnold said oh yes, absolutely. That sure as heck doesn't sound like a weasel word to me. He could have just have not mentioned his pledge had he wanted to raise taxes.

[TheAngryClam]

Just wait.

[ambrose]

But his use of the word "disaster" is definitely a warning sign, as he said he'd raise taxes only in the event of a "disaster"...

[goldstategop]

I guess you're cynical. I don't blame you after you saw what President Bush's father did. I'm inclined for now to give our Governor-Elect the benefit of the doubt.

[goldstategop]

Good point. But why mention his pledge? If he wants to ditch it, what's keeping him from conveniently forgetting to mention it at every opportunity?

[Lancey Howard]

Don't panic.
Arnold will NEVER say anything like:

"The budget situation is far worse than we were ever led to believe."
"The economy has not recovered as quickly as we had hoped."

or,

"We have audited the books and slashed out the waste until there is nothing left to slash. Unfortunately, due to the disastrous budget projections, I am left with no other choice at this time but to reluctantly go along with a temporary....."

Arnold will NEVER say things like that. Arnold is one tough, stand-up guy.
He made a promise, and Arnold is a man of his word.
And you can take that to the bank.

[TheAngryClam]

Or Pete Wilson, still the biggest tax hike in California history, and who, along with HW, are Arnold's big political pals.

[goldstategop]

You forget one thing... the GOP is a great deal more conservative than in 1991 and the last thing Arnold wants to do is divide the party. If he can find a way to do address the status budget mess without hurting his re-election prospects, he will. Just cause he brought Pete Wilson's people on board, doesn't mean he's not his own man. And he did appear before the GOP caucus in Sacramento and while I'm not privy to what was said behind closed doors, its clear that Republican legislators don't think Arnold will pull any surprises on them. And for its worth, Sen. Jim Brulte is part of Arnold's transition team.

[cartoonistx]