Posted on 12/13/2007 11:27:49 AM PST by goldstategop
According to news reports yesterday, behind closed doors the Department of Finance is privately admitting to a $14 billion shortfall between this and the budget year. Assuming that this shortfall occurs AFTER blowing through the $4 billion reserve, that makes the actual operating deficit $18 billion. (If that’s a surprise, read my blog of November 15th).
The good news is that the state’s cash position slightly improved in November. According to the Controller’s monthly report, actual revenue growth has increased 2.3 percent for the first five months of the fiscal year compared to one year ago. (Last month year-to-date growth was just 0.6 percent).
The problem is not a revenue shortfall. Every year of the Schwarzenegger Administration, state government has set a new record for the portion of people’s earnings it consumes. While population and inflation have increased 20 percent during the Schwarzenegger years, revenues have increased 29 percent (despite the housing crunch). The problem is that spending has increased 33 percent.
If these numbers sound vaguely familiar, they should. During the five years of the Davis Administration, population and inflation increased 23 percent, revenues increased 31 percent and spending increased 35 percent.
That’s how you wreck a state’s finances. It works every time.
12-13-2007
"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
I supported McClintock during the recall. The voters went for glitz over substance. Those who sow the wind, reap the whirlwind...
Ah, but the Orange County RINO mafia didn’t think Tom was “electable.” We’d have never had this problem if they didn’t back Ahrnold. Tom is my State Senator, and I hope our Governor. Some day soon. Maybe after we recall Ahrnold.
I did too, but saw the writing on the wall and pulled up stakes for New Hampshire, where my wife and I were the two deciding votes in a motion to cut $1 million from our new home town’s budget.
but arnold wanted to spend on worthy proven causes such as global warming and embryonic stem cell research /s
"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
Nobody talks about Bill Simon any more. He has dropped out of politics and vanished from sight.
Tom McClintock is a good man. So was Bill Simon. He only lost by a few percent, in spite of the dirty tricks of California judges, California media, and the betrayal by the Republican party.
If he had won, it would have been a whole different ball game. But they used the absence of a primary to shove Arnold down our throats, and now we are paying the price in a destroyed state and a destroyed party.
Good work, Bush, Rove and Parsky. You really did it. You got what you wanted.
All we did by voting the shlep in, was kick the can down the road and watch as the boil doubled in size.
Now, how can we claim fiscal responsiblity is a perview of the right?
Schwarzenegger could have done the right thing. He promised to when he ran. Insread he became Davis II.
Thanks California R.P. leadership. Thanks Pete Wilson. You folks are swell... if party suicide is the goal.
"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
Alaska has a surplus this year as well as $40 billion laying around doing nothing. What does California have for collateral to justify a loan?
"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
State property. Land.
Alaska already has 300,000 square miles of land it can’t use. Anything else?
You are kidding me aren’t you? Alaska in the winter? I have too many friends who work in the oil patch up there who vacation in Hawaii or California in the winter just to get out of the snow to think otherwise.
It’s Alaska here, and it’s winter here, now. And there’s $40 billion here just looking for a golden opportunity. Is that opportunity in California? Doesn’t appear so.
Keep your money. We can get just as good a deal elsewhere.
And you’re still up to your ass in snow. Enjoy it. I think I’ll go for a walk by the beach in shorts now. Bye.
There is a simple solution to many of California’s problems: replacing minor criminal and many civil sanctions with tax-like civil fines.
That is, the Governor and State Legislature could create a new State office with an administrator. This office would issue citations, somewhat like traffic tickets, but without any other penalty, *in place of* minor criminal and civil violations.
Instead of policemen issuing tickets for petty offenses, they instead issue what amounts to a tax fine payable directly to the State. There is no appeal through the courts, only directly to the State administrator.
Say some “youths” are caught spray paint vandalizing a wall. They can be “taxed” say $500 each. If they or their parents have the ability to pay, then they pay cash. Otherwise it stays on their record as owed to the State when and if they ever get a job.
Now these fines can be pretty hefty. A first time DUI that doesn’t involve an accident could cost $20,000; but that would be the sole penalty. In that case, $20k would hurt like blazes, but a lot of people could afford it. And they sure as heck wouldn’t DUI again.
And because California has tens of thousands of otherwise harmless DUIs every year, it starts to add up to some real money, not just savings, but income. Instead of the State having to pay a LOT of money to incarcerate them, give them a penalty that MEANS something to them, but otherwise doesn’t ruin their life for one instance of bad judgment.
For second offense or if an accident is involved, they go to jail just like before.
If you add up literally hundreds of offenses, both criminal and civil, that could be replaced by fines, that alone might solve most of California’s budget woes for the foreseeable future. Instead of paying money to punish such people, the public should make a profit from them.
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