Posted on 07/16/2004 8:46:49 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
Better a late budget than a bad budget. That's the proper attitude we hope state Legislators in Sacramento maintain toward ongoing budget negotiations.
Yes, we have criticized the Legislature for not passing a budget by the June 15 constitutional deadline - or even by the July 1 beginning of the 2004-05 fiscal year.
But at this late date, we urge Republicans, including Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, to remember that fellow Republican U.S. Grant promised at the Battle of Spotsylvania to "fight it out on this line if it takes all summer."
In the debate over local finance, the main battle line is between Republicans, who want to allow the state government to raid local government coffers only with a four- fifths vote of the Legislature, and Democrats, who want it to require a two-thirds vote. Either action would require a vote of the Legislature to put the change before voters in November as a constitutional amendment. (One complication: Such an amendment would go against Proposition 65, already on the ballot, which would freeze in place current local funding.)
Budget hawk Sen. Tom McClintock pointed out to us that the Democratic proposal essentially is the status quo because existing state law mandates a two-thirds vote to pass a state budget, including any aspect of a budget regarding local finances.
(Excerpt) Read more at ocregister.com ...
Hang tough. Get rid of reliance on credit cards and borrowing and start shrinking our government. No budget til the Democrats cry "Uncle."
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