Posted on 09/27/2005 9:41:40 PM PDT by FairOpinion
Revving up his campaign to reclaim the political initiative in California, Governor Schwarzenegger addressed a bipartisan crowd of 1,000 people at the Orange County Forum on September 26.
In his prepared remarks, he urged the crowd to support his four reform measures on the November 8 special election, Propositions 74 through 77. He then detailed why Prop. 76, the Budget Reform initiative, was deserving of support, specifically countering the false claims made by the union-sponsored attack ads. He asserted that two-thirds of the governors in America have similar powers to reduce spending in line with revenue if the legislature refuses to act.
Both his delivery and its reception were fine, all-in-all, a workmanlike job.
Then came the questions.
With the teleprompter off and no media filters between Californians and their governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger showed why he is a force of nature in the Golden State. He breathed passion – passion for California and passion for the job he is determined to see through to its conclusion, regardless of the consequences.
The first question dealt with education reform and where do we go after passage of Prop. 74, the Teacher Tenure initiative. Responding, the Governor quickly warmed to the topic. Speaking of government employee unions he said, “Since when was government set up to help themselves rather than the people?” He then cited the fact that $300 million per year of education funding is wasted so government union employees can mow school lawns and maintain school buildings rather than contracting out such services to open bidding so that the tax money can be spent in the classroom.
Becoming more animated as he spoke about government unions, Schwarzenegger said that lawmakers of both parties had come to him privately and acknowledged the problems facing California, agreeing that something had to be done. But, he said, they, “…went to the union bosses to ask for permission. They said, ‘No, don’t do it, we can crush him.’” Rather than compromise, he said, the government unions are determined to spend over $100 million in false attack ads to keep their power in California and maintain the status quo.
Then, he said what most politicians think, but few dare to say, “The reason why they are pushing us to spend more is that the union bosses’ dream is to force tax increases so they can then increase their benefits.”
This is the crux of the issue and this is why every public employee union in the nation is rallying to oppose Prop. 75, the Paycheck Protection initiative. As Benjamin Franklin said on the dangers of a salaried bureaucracy in 1787 in a speech delivered during the Constitutional Convention, “Sir, there are two passions which have a powerful influence in the affairs of men. These are ambition and avarice; the love of power and the love of money. Separately, each of these has great force in prompting men to action; but, when united in view of the same object, they have, in many minds, the most violent effects.”
Californians only have to wait a few minutes after turning on their televisions these days to see such “violent effects” being done to the truth in service of the government union agenda of more pay, more benefits, and less accountability.
The Governor closed his remarks by challenging the audience, saying, “Ask yourself, are you happy with the way things are right now? If yes, then vote no on the reform initiatives.” For everyone else, the Governor urged them to action, asking them to support his efforts using the same grassroots techniques that pushed the recall over the top in 2003. Calling his reform package a “sequel” to the 2003 recall election, Schwarzenegger said, “The recall just changed the governor, but it didn’t change the system that brought us this mess.” It is now time to change the system.
The crowd rose to its feet in enthusiastic applause.
The election is six weeks away.
Mr. DeVore (R.-Irvine) represents 450,000 people in coastal Orange County's 70th Assembly District. He also serves as a major in the Army National Guard.
Control Spending. Balance the Budget. End Deficits. Stop Higher Taxes.
http://www.joinarnold.com/site/c.itJUJ9MTIuE/b.1060783/k.B2C0/Ask_Tom_About_Proposition_76.htm
The Problem: A Budget System in Desperate Need of Reform
Tom Campbell recently answered your questions on Proposition 76.
"California doesn’t have a revenue problem -- it has a spending problem. Our Legislature is addicted to spending taxpayers’ money."
Proposition 76 will control spending to end state deficits and balance the state budget without raising taxes. At the same time, it will stabilize education funding to make sure our public schools are getting the money they need.
We are facing an ongoing budget crisis because the Legislature can't seem to say no to the special interests who dump millions of dollars into their campaigns.
Between 1998 and 2004, the Legislature increased overall spending by 44 percent – from $75 billion to $108 billion – even though the state did not have enough money to pay for all that new spending.
The Solution: Force the State to Live Within its Means
Proposition 76 will force the Legislature to live by the same basic rule California families live by: Don’t spend more money than you bring in.
Proposition 76 will force politicians to stop autopilot spending and set clear funding priorities each year based on what’s best for the state.
Proposition 76 puts into place, for the first time, a firewall to block the state from raiding funds dedicated for local health and social service programs. The measure has no effect on dedicated funding for local public safety programs.
It will place reasonable, responsible limits on state budget growth by limiting year-to-year budget increases to the average growth in revenue for the past 3 fiscal years. This will prevent legislators from creating costly new programs during economic booms that demand ongoing spending when revenues drop.
Proposition 76 requires the state to use extra revenue from peak years to build “rainy day funds” to prepare for inevitable future economic downturns. When revenue shortfalls occur, it will allow the state to spend reserves to maintain essential state services. It also allows the governor to make mid-year cuts when the state faces a fiscal crisis, which will help to fix budget problems in the middle of the year before things get out of hand.
Ask Tom About Proposition 76
http://www.joinarnold.com/site/c.itJUJ9MTIuE/b.1060783/k.B2C0/Ask_Tom_About_Proposition_76.htm
The Live Within Our Means Act
Tom Campbell is answering your questions about the Live Within Our Means Act. If you have a question for Tom, click here.
Paul - Van Nuys, CA
I don’t even know what the Live Within Our Means Act is.
Tom: California has been spending more than it has taken in for each of the last seven years.
This started with the money from the dot-com boom. It turned out to be one-time money. But the Legislature built it into formulas that continued to increase spending levels, even when the money ran out.
Also, every year, the state misses the budget deadline. This means schools, hospitals, law enforcement, road building, and many other state functions start-and-stop-and-start. That adds to cost and hurts efficiency.
Nancy - San Pedro, CA
How does this affect me?
Tom: We had to borrow to make up the difference. We all pay taxes to pay interest on that borrowing. And some of the borrowing was from programs the voters specifically identified they wanted protected: like the sales tax on gasoline, that was supposed to go only for road building and maintenance.
Also, it's a question of jobs. Employers won't locate in states that have large deficits, because they fear (correctly) that, sooner or later, they'll be hit with higher taxes.
Peter - San Rafael, CA
How does Live Within Our Means fix the problem? Isn’t this just government trying to fix government?
Tom: It says the state can't spend more in any one year than it spent in the year before, increased by a percentage. That percentage is the average rate of growth of what the state took in through taxes the three prior years.
That way, before increasing spending, the state has to be sure the source of new money is solid, not one-time.
Second, it says the state can't borrow from the special funds any more. That leaves those dollars for their intended purposes: roads, schools, police, fire.
Third, it deals with the problem of fiscal crisis. It requires the Legislature to fix a budget gap as soon as it arises, instead of waiting for the end of the year. And if the Legislature doesn't, the Governor must.
Last, Live Within Our Means carries over the previous year's budget until a new budget is adopted. That keeps reliable sources of funding continuing for our schools, medical recipients, law enforcement, and roads. Otherwise, most shut down while the budget fight continues.
PING
"Schwarzenegger said, “The recall just changed the governor, but it didn’t change the system that brought us this mess.” It is now time to change the system."
I hope Schwartzenegger makes it.
Hey ilk! Over here.
I think a lot of people are "misunderestimating" Arnold, but he will prevail, to the benefit of California.
The propositions are critical to reform California.
""misunderestimating" Arnold,"
I agree, but as Bush famously quipped, Arnold does speak English better than he does.
It's good to see Tom and Arnold united.
I hope voters really listen, and understand how important this is.
Thanks for posting.
I don't see Democrat politicians lining up to run against Arnold in the next election.
He's heading the campaign. Why wouldn't they be united?
(You did read the post and notice it is talking about Tom CAMPBELL, right?)
Ahem. Speaking of pings... ;-)
Thank you.
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