Posted on 01/15/2004 4:04:44 PM PST by calcowgirl
Theres plenty to quibble about in Gov. Arnold Schwarzeneggers budget proposal - the fact that it relies on a highly dubious and unlikely plan to pass a $15 billion bond measure; questions about the treatment of local governments; doubts about the wisdom of raising tuitions - again - at Californias community colleges, state colleges and universities; suspicion that not enough fat at the state level is being cut, whether its at state prisons, in legislative offices or buried in layers of bureaucracy. But well leave the details of the budget proposal for another time. Right now, were concerned about the big picture.
California is a state teetering on the edge of fiscal collapse. Even if Schwarzeneggers budget is adopted as proposed (and the chances of that are slim to none) and the companion mammoth bond measure is approved by voters (also looking doubtful, according to recent polls), Schwarzeneggers $99.1-billion budget will still leave Californias accounts in a $3- to $6-billion hole. The governors budget is also disappointing because its based on rosy economic forecasts that predict that state tax revenue will increase by nearly $3 billion in fiscal year 2004-2005.
Thats not all. If the governors Hollywood persona and trite slogans fail to convince voters to approve a $15 billion loan to pay off the existing debt, the states deficit will increase to titanic proportions - $27 billion dollars by June 2005.
For an entity in such dire financial straits, were underwhelmed by Schwarzeneggers tepid, more-of-the-same spending plan.
Between the wild growth of state government in the last decade and the proposition hamstrings voters have put on legislators, this state has woven quite a web of fiscal woe. Untangling it wont be accomplished with shuffling funds from here to there or without pain.
We think most of that pain belongs at the state government level. For most people, their city and county governments and school boards have the greatest impact on their quality of life. Citizens also have the most control of funds spent at these governmental levels. Before taking money from those agencies, which provide the health care services, the roads, the police and fire protection and the educations Californians need, wed like to see wholesale slashing of state bureaucracy.
We think the state should get out of the middleman business when it comes to funds earmarked for cities, counties and public schools. That way, the state cant get grabby when it overspends itself into billion-dollar deficits.
We think radical ideas, a sense of outrage at government growth and waste and a budget ax aimed squarely at Sacramento ought to be the hallmarks of any state spending plan.
No more tired Hollywood one-liners. Lets see some real action from our new governor: Balance the budget on the backs of Sacramento bureaucrats.
I know this is an editorial... but in general, I think coverage is lessening on the 'draconian cuts' descriptions and starting to focus on the billions in borrowing and smoke-and-mirrors tactics.
His common sense is sorely needed.
Politicos and their contributors who blindly spent like crazy are now asking the taxpayers to bail them out once again.
Of course, scare tactics are the order of the day and will be used ad nauseum to "address" the issues that now face this state at all levels of government.
Spending OPM's money is so easy..
Before you know it, we will all hear the sucking sounds of black holes in our wallets and check books .. placed there by those entrusted to govern in a prudent manner, but who, in the end, could care less who ends up paying for their incompetence and greed.
It's one thing to act like a tough guy when you've already read the script and know how the story ends, it's another altogether to stand in the gap, put up the numbers, and take the heat.
Arnold doesn't have the guts to do it.
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