Schwartzenegger Throws Down Gauntlet on Taxes, Spending Cuts

Sacramento Bee ^ | 1/7/04 | Dan Walters

[My2Cents]

A few hours before Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger delivered his first State of the State address to the Legislature on Tuesday, San Francisco Assemblyman Leland Yee told an interviewer that in the clash over how to close a massive budget deficit, Democrats count on Schwarzenegger being "a closet Democrat" who will eventually opt for higher taxes.

[My2Cents]

We need more "RINOs" like Arnold.

[Huck]

echoed classic Republican rhetoric

Classic meaning old and not used much anymore--least not in DC.

[farmer18th]

"We will cooperate with the governor but we will not capitulate on Democratic core values," said Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson.

Democratic core values? What are they this year?

[Agnes Heep]

"We will cooperate with the governor but we will not capitulate on Democratic core values," said Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson.

Thank God, at least buggery and abortion are safe.

[woodyinscc]

Did you hear Burton's rebuttle? They just do not get it.!!!

[onedoug]

Ill be reading that Voter Information Pamphlet very carefully.

[My2Cents]

Democratic core values? What are they this year?

Hatred.

[dc27]

Screw people who work for a living.

[demlosers]

Democrats count on Schwarzenegger being "a closet Democrat" who will eventually opt for higher taxes.

Any Rat who thinks Schwarzenegger is going to be a tax and spend Rat is delusional. This guy is very goal oriented and you can bet Kalifornia budget is going to be cut.

Let the Rats oppose him; it's going to be fun watching them crash and burn.

[BibChr]

Did it kill you to see all these "Vote for Bustamante" FReepers patting themselves on the back (?!) that he sounded like McClintock? Whereas if they'd had their way, it'd've been Bustamante delivering the speech.

Dan

[calcowgirl]

Beware of the Voter Pamphlet.

Per California Election Code, the Title and Summary are to be written in an unbiased fashion by the Attorney General. But not this time. The legislature suspended all of those laws and mandated what language would be included in the ballot. Hence, we have an "Economic Recovery Bond" (the word 'deficit' disappeared) and the "Balanced Budget Act" (instead of highlighting that this constitutional amendment allows unprecedented use of debt by the state). While ordinarily there is a minimum 30 day public viewing period wherein language can be challenged, the legislature passed a bill to limit the viewing period to ONE DAY!

If you want a preview, they are posted at the Sec of State website (Link Here).

[My2Cents]

Right, Dan. What they ignore is that those of us who supported Arnold in the recall election did so for CONSERVATIVE principles, because we knew that he was conservative enough on the crisis issue of the day -- the state's fiscal condition -- to deserve conservatives' support. He has challenged the Democrat-run legislature with the threat of rendering them irrelevant by going over their heads, directly to the people, if he needs to, to get done what needs to be done. Arnold is the only one who ran in the recall who could realistically deliver on such a threat.

[BibChr]

Yep.

If they'd been honest, what they'd've been saying would have been "Dang! Guys sounds just like McC! I can't believe I voted against him! What an idiot I was! Thank God my vote didn't capsize him!"

Dan

[My2Cents]

Precisely. Keep this in mind for future election fights.

[onedoug]

Thank you.

What I really meant was I'd like to know what specific spending cuts will take place if we approve this initiative.

[calcowgirl]

What I really meant was I'd like to know what specific spending cuts will take place if we approve this initiative.

The new bond (Prop 57/58) covers all the debt through June of this year (assuming no cuts), estimated to be $15 Billion. The cuts that will be presented Friday deal with ANOTHER $15 Billion dollar problem, for the year July 2004 through June 2005.

I'm anxious to see the proposals for the next fiscal year, but would like to see more action on cutting today's expenses. We still have six months to take action and avoid the need for this debt.

[68 grunt]

Hiya Dan,

I noticed.

[CounterCounterCulture]

Well, your post gets my vote for intellectually vacant and dishonest post of the day. Keep up the bad work.

[68 grunt]

You would indeed recognize intellectually vacant and dishonest.