Calif: McClintock citing Schwarzenegger ‘spending spree,’ calls for voter veto-power over tax hikes

California Political Review CAPITOL WATCH (emailed) | Mar 9, 2007

[John Jorsett]

Respected fiscal watchdog state Sen. Tom McClintock, writing in The Sacramento Bee, criticized a state government spending rate that has grown “significantly faster than it did under Davis,” increasing 30 percent the last three years alongside 23 percent revenue growth.

McClintock said “the governor’s spending spree has now produced the biggest operating deficit in California’s history -- $8 billion, compared with Davis’s worst year of $6.6 billion.” McClintock also cited $45 billion in pension obligations and “$40 billion to $70 billion in health care obligations” owed to state employees.

Warning that “pressure for tax increases” will grow “as California approaches its fiscal day of reckoning,” McClintock said state law should “require government to ask voters’ permission before” hiking taxes. He wrote that 72 percent of Californians support the idea, which, he wrote, “is perhaps California’s last chance to avert the ruinous tax increases that reckless spending, gaping deficits, and broken campaign promises have already set in motion.”

[John Jorsett]

Here's the link to the Sacramento Bee editorial (free subscription required. Try "fortytipper" with "crunch" as the password).

[tearlenb]

One cannot ask for free healthcare and then complain about taxes..........

[lowbridge]

bump

[goldstategop]

It has zero chance of passing a Democratic-dominated State Legislature. As an initiative, it would pass easily at the polls. Propsition 218 already gives voters veto power over local tax increases. Tom McClintock would make that apply to statewide taxes as well.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Bonaparte]

The "fiscal conservative" strikes again.

[rom]

This governor really has to be stopped. I am glad I didn't vote for his re-election. He truly has shown his colors afterwards hasn't he?

McClintock's pretty much all we have left in CA. The biggest defeat of the whole '06 election for me is when he didn't win his Lt. Governorship race. That was a hard one to take.

[Afronaut]

"The "fiscal conservative" strikes again."

Oh My!

[Carry_Okie]

McClintock said “the governor’s spending spree has now produced the biggest operating deficit in California’s history -- $8 billion, compared with Davis’s worst year of $6.6 billion.” McClintock also cited $45 billion in pension obligations and “$40 billion to $70 billion in health care obligations” owed to state employees.

There's always time to repent.

[b9]

Only for the repentant.

[Carry_Okie]

McClintock clearly has.

[b9]

Seems so.

[Amerigomag]

McClintock clearly has.

Too little or too late. take your choice.

McClintock's pretty much all we have left in CA.

If the Senator's near absence in 2004/2005 and his public capitulation in 2006 is the best that conservatives have to offer then California is in trouble.

[calcowgirl]

Late McCLINTOCK PING!

[ElkGroveDan]

One cannot ask for free healthcare and then complain about taxes..........

Who are you referring to? It's liberal Arnold who wants the "free health care" and I haven't heard him complain about taxes.

The rest of us who never asked for socialized medicine are the ones worried about taxes.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[hedgetrimmer]

I'm with McClintock. Let's vote!

[Rakkasan1]

[SierraWasp]

Better late than never... Conservatives chasing after celebrities only paid off once! It'll never happen that way again... NEVER!!!

[StoneColdTaxHater]

It may pass with the people but given California's history some nitwit judge will issue an injunction and subvert the people's will