CA: Burton sees 'despair' in governor's budget

Sac Bee ^ | 1/13/04 | John Hill and Clea Benson

[NormsRevenge]

Senate President Pro Tem John Burton called Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's budget proposal "unworthy" Monday in an opening skirmish of what promises to be another extended budget battle.

"I don't see any hope and aspiration there," the San Francisco Democrat said, referring to Schwarzenegger's description of California last week as "an empire of hope and aspirations."

[NormsRevenge]

John Burton: The Senate's Democratic president pro tem said
he'd like to soften the blow to social services with new
revenue and suggested a tax hike on the wealthy.

[NormsRevenge]

"I see despair there," Burton continued. "I see a state that is turning its back on the most vulnerable in our society in order to pay for a tax cut."

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DOHHHH!!!! IS this dude confused or what?

What about all the businesses you and your cohorts have driven from this state?

What in God's Good Name are you thinking when WE support millions of illegals with state tax money?

[big_Rob]

If welfare recipients have time to protest, they certainly have time for a job. They can cry me a river. Glad the governator is moving towards a work-fare ideal.

[markman46]

I see Burton still has not gotten the message yet

[pogo101]

Another day, another whinge from fossilized cretaceous liberal Burton about Schwarzenegger's budget.

Sounds like a pretty good budget, then.

[kingu]

I'm unsure what Burton is whining about, and I'm really wondering where these 'cuts' are. Is he whining about these programs not being increased and calling it a 'cut'?

I had some high hopes that Arnold would implement cuts in the budget, yet even the budget for his own office has been increased in this budget proposal. At least he could have led through example by cutting his own office budget, as well as the office budget for BustaMECHA.

If Arnold wants my support for fifteen billion in borrowing, I'd best see some cuts in spending. Looking at his proposed budget vs Davis' budget, I don't see those cuts.

[af_vet_1981]

John Burton: The Senate's Democratic president pro tem said he'd like to soften the blow to social services with new revenue and suggested a tax hike on the wealthy.

I agree with John.
• I propose a tax hike on the Senate's President Pro Tem to appropriate 90% of all his assets including his pension to soften the blow to social services.
• All in favor say "Aye."

[theDentist]

He's still keeping his head in the California sand, and dammit no one is going to make him pull it out and look around.

[cogitator]

Anybody could see this conflict coming the day Schwarzenegger was inaugurated. He won't get all the
budget items he's asking for; if he gets some of them it will be progress.

[Doctor Stochastic]

What about all the businesses you and your cohorts have driven from this state?

The "outsourced" jobs from California? Probably only greedy companies with no loyalty to California. Maybe California could make it illegal to move jobs away.

[No Dems 2004]

And I see a jerk in John Burton. Am I correct to remember that John Burton is out of his job come November, thanks to term limits?? I sure hope so ... he's almost as bad as Davis. Liberal loudmouth.

[goldstategop]

Arnold wants spending cuts and Burton wants a tax increase. At the end of the day they'll split the middle if no reason than the termed out Burton wants to end his career on a flourish. Arnold won't get everything he wants and neither will Burton. Its just the way politics is supposed to work.

[tubebender]

I want to see if Arnold has the balls to wield the VETO PEN when the bills start to cross his desk. If he doesn't veto at least half the crap Burpdon pushes then all hope is lost...