A Dose of Reality for Schwarzenegger (MClintock opposes California bond measure)

LA TImes ^ | Nov. 20, 2003 | Gregg Jones and Evan Halper

[FairOpinion]

"... the governor faced concerns from fellow Republicans over his plan to deal with California's fiscal difficulties without a tax increase.

Brulte said he expected the borrowing proposal to pass the Senate eventually. But Sen. Tom McClintock (R-Thousand Oaks) said he would vote against it, and other Republicans interviewed Wednesday echoed concerns already raised by Burton and other Democrats.

"I think it's fiscally irresponsible to use long-term, general obligation bonds to meet state expenses," McClintock said after the Senate session. "That is why, for over 100 years, the state Constitution has prohibited that practice — to prevent a prodigal generation from running up a huge debt while it parties, then passing the bill on to his children."

He added, "A deficit bond will not have my vote."

Brulte said the key to Schwarzenegger's fiscal recovery plan was a cap on state spending, a central Republican demand. "If the price I have to pay for a spending cap is a willingness to support a deficit bond, I'm willing to look at that," Brulte said. "But our prime objective is the spending cap."

[Brian Allen]

<< Every day we wait the cuts will have to get deeper to make the budget balance. This is part of the RATs plan. I suggest we furlogh all state employees except police, firemen and other public safety workers NOW! Stop digging the hole deeper. Stop contracting for projects with approved bonds to limit the need for pay interest and principle. Treat this like the fiscal emergency that it IS. >>

Better had or we've had it!

[skeeter]

Never fall in love with a politician.

He'll only break your heart.

[Lancey Howard]

Thankfully, you're in PA

That's my opinion, too!

[Lancey Howard]

<< The point is McC couldn't wait to voice his objection (sans his lofty solutions) of course. >>

"Point taken"

But the point is labored, if not downright manufactured.
Reading the second paragraph of the original posting, it looks like McClintock was interviewed along with other Republicans who "echoed" what McClintock said. And McClintock has always been against these types of bonds anyway, so there is really nothing new here. McClintock, contrary to what the liberals around here would have us believe, did not rush to the TV cameras to throw cold water on Arnold's plans. He only said once again what he has maintained all along. The LA Times needed a "story", I guess.

Regards,
LH

[A CA Guy]

He can stand all he wants, but there needs to be both a budget cap and a funding of the debt at some point.

[StoneColdGOP]

He is getting to be very tiresome

Why because he won't sellout and "Join Arnold" like the rest of the herd?

In fact, there are a number of Republican legislators who aren't real enthusiastic about a band measure and would much rather see further spending cuts to alleviate the problem.

Hopefully, they too will voice those concerns publicly.

[Brian Allen]

Mr McLintock, in any case, is on the right side of this argument. The state government must immediately cut spending and not borrow and blow another cent to buy another vote.

Meanwhile I'll sit on my hands and see how it goes.

[FairOpinion]

"other Republicans who "echoed" what McClintock said. "

==

That is what the paper said. But if you read the article, the only other R. actually quoted put it quite differently, than McC.


Sen. Chuck Poochigian (R-Fresno) also expressed misgivings but said Schwarzenegger had "inherited a massive problem."

"There's no one who's enthusiastic about borrowing," Poochigian said. "The question is, what can we do to solve our problems? I have not yet made a decision on what I'm going to do. A vote on the proposal would be very difficult."


And Brulte said:

Brulte said the key to Schwarzenegger's fiscal recovery plan was a cap on state spending, a central Republican demand.

"If the price I have to pay for a spending cap is a willingness to support a deficit bond, I'm willing to look at that," Brulte said. "But our prime objective is the spending cap."


This is a BIG difference from the way McC stated it.

Also look at my post 81, about what I thought would have been an acceptable thing for McC to say.

McC's statement was a self serving statement and an attack on Arnold. PERIOD.

[FairOpinion]

"He is getting to be very tiresome
Why because he won't sellout and "Join Arnold" like the rest of the herd?"

==

Obviouly, McC already sold out to the Dems, by staying in the race in the first place, and now further helping the Dems' agenda of trying to stop Arnold from turning CA around.

[A CA Guy]

McClintock is McHistory, McThrough, McFinished and will be McAbolished.

[FairOpinion]

Arnold was sworn in as Governor Monday, at 11 am.

McClintock was criticizing his plan on Tuesday afternoon, in the media, on TV, barely 24 hours after Arnold's inaugurtion.

What does that tell you about McSoreLoser?

(Arnold should revoke his offer to fundraise for McC's reelection)

[South40]

This comes as no surprise. McLoser lost his sorry a$$ in the recall election. Now he's bent on attempting to make everyone who voted for Arnold regret their vote. It won't work; all he's doing is exposing himself for the loser that he obviously is.

[ArneFufkin]

Small time.

The McClintock gang are arsonists. They don't have the integrity, intelligence and professionalism to win consensus and elections, so they bathe in the bucks and power that comes from blowing the GOP up and owning the resultant mess. They PLAY TO LOSE.

[Feiny]

I vote against ALL bond measures.
They are the worst way to finance anything.
If it cannot be paid for with the budget, don't fund it or cut the budget so it can be included.
20 million now becomes 40 million to re-pay....great deal....NOT.

If Arnold wants to find money, he could look in the education budget....there is plenty of wasted money there....of course that has already been declared off-limits.

My solution is to fire about 30% of the bloated Govt. workers.

[FairOpinion]

I have to correct myself. McClintock actually waited until the third day after Arnold's inauguration, to criticize Arnold, although it was still little over 48 hrs after the inauguration. (Probably only because he couldn't get close to TV cameras before that)

[hedgetrimmer]

There was by California ballot, a team created to review bond proposals and propositions and inform the public about the effect of the bond economically in the short and long term. Davie prohibited them from publishing any information. Californias debt through bonds is staggering and future generations are going to pay and pay. McClintock is right, Schwarzennegger should find another way to deal with the fiscal mess.

[A CA Guy]

McClintock is a walking piece of uncooperative sh.t, you and I know this and in honor of him as I leave this moment to relieve myself I will envision my commode as McClintock as shower it.

Relieve yourself and think of McClintock!
Honor McClintock with a McDump as well.

Look for him to switch to some fringe third party like Libertarian soon.

[onyx]

McClintock is McHistory, McThrough, McFinished and will be McAbolished.

ROFLMAO!

McHistory, McFinshed --- I can't decide which one to steal!

[heleny]

I still have not received petitions in the mail.

Lots of car dealerships and talk radio stations have extra copies of the VLF repeal initiative petition. Your local Republican Party office should have them, as should your local Republican Assemblyman or State Senator.

The SB60 referendum petition should be available at the same places (minus the dealerships). That petition definitely isn't mailed out because they lack the resources, and it's due at the Secretary of State's office in fifteen days, so it would be best returned by Thanksgiving.