Arnold wants it held to 4% for the entire five year period? Really? What is your source. Or do you mean 4% growth per year?
Are you referring to John Campbell's article? If so, I haven't seen anything that says Arnold supports the proposal. We'll know in January when we see the next budget proposal.
And of course while the Governor isn't going to actually cut spending, the Democrats are going to label his puny increases a "cut." That's the new Sacramento math. Get used to hearing it a lot next year even though its a lie.
That's pretty standard budget gaming... I don't think there is much "new" about it. Hopefully some will continue to expose it for what it is. Many on FR continued to tout the "cuts" this year made by Arnold which weren't "cuts" at all.
We'll have to see what happens in January. Odds are they'll paper over it again just like they did last year.
When politicians use the words "cuts" they use it in the opposite of normal English. In any other occupation, one would face a fine or jail for misleading advertising. Not in politics.