OPEN FORUM: Arnold must wield the knife

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 5/12/8 | Elizabeth Karasmeighan

[SmithL]

This week, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will release a revised budget proposal to rein in spending and set California on firm financial ground. As in the economic slowdown earlier this decade, state revenue growth has slowed. California is once again the poster child for poor fiscal management, and legislators in other states should watch it and learn. With an estimated gap between proposed spending and revenues of up to $20 billion, it's going to take more than Schwarzenegger's proposals to tax property insurance and close tax loopholes to fix the state budget.

Each new cut in spending will likely bring a new constituency to picket the governor's mansion, but Schwarzenegger rode into office on a pledge to reduce waste, and he should push not only for a 10 percent across-the-board cut in general spending, but also to eliminate specific programs and vacant public employee positions. California could start closing the gap by selling an estimated $1 billion in surplus state property, including the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

The governor should return the state government to its core functions by abolishing the Department of Conservation, cutting environmental protection spending, and diverting the special funds from those programs to the general fund ($2.5 billion). He could also eliminate spending for many small projects that litter the budget, such as the California Science Center ($20 million) and the New Deal-style Conservation Corps ($41 million).

In the last few years, California's general fund budget has grown by over 30 percent - faster than personal income, and certainly faster than revenue growth. California general fund spending rose 32 percent from the 2004 to 2008 fiscal years, peaking at more than $103 billion. But total state spending, which includes general and special funds, rose even faster. According to the governor's budget summary, total state spending rose...

[Amendment10]

This week, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will release a revised budget proposal to rein in spending and set California on firm financial ground.

Yeah, right.

I still can't get over the fact that while California's budget is going down the toilet, state bureaucrats have decided to spend $600 million on global warming research.

$600 million global warming research

In fact, given that ocean temperatures are regarded as a major indicator of global warming activity, the slight decrease in ocean temperatures indicated by the Argo System oceanic temperature probes over the past several years emphasizes the politically correct foundation of AGW alarmism.

Argo System oceanic temperature probes

[45Auto]

Arnold couldn't wield a potato peeler. The California Public Employees unions handed him his head in the 2005 special election. None of his proposals passed the electorate. Since then, he has become a true girly man. The state legislature is full of socialists cum commies; they will never vote to make any cuts that their constituents don't want. And I don't mean the Cal taxpayer. These unions have a stranglehold on the Cal budget.The unfunded mandatory pension payouts for former state employees alone will break the back of California's economy.

[Jacquerie]

What I can't understand is how states like TX & FL can and have operated without a state income tax while CA is buried in debt WITH a state income tax?

The desire of politicians to spend is infinite while the ability of taxpayers to pay is finite. Legislators will spend whatever the state's revenue is, and more if they can get away with it.

I think a parallel example is that there are many solvent families making $40K and less, while there are many making $200K+ facing foreclosure and bankruptcy.

[SierraWasp]

"Next he'll be going after Prop 13."

Buffet already did when Arnold first hijacked the Recall!!!

Did you see this grand suggestion??? "The governor should return the state government to its core functions by abolishing the Department of Conservation, cutting environmental protection spending, and diverting the special funds from those programs to the general fund ($2.5 billion)."

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! GOOD IDEA!!! BLOW UP DEM BOXES GOOBERNATOR!!! (Phhhhhhhhhhht!)(what a gas pain)(what insufferable heartburn)(how does one spell relief)

[dalereed]

“how does one spell relief”

Recall!!!!!

I did my best to warn everyone before the last recall what that socialist pussy whipped Austrian was.

[hedgetrimmer]

Do ya think he’ll blow up all those NEW boxes he created for the executive branch? Like the office of volunteerism???

Where does the governor of a free state get ideas like creating a ‘volunteer czar’?

Doesn’t he know it ceases to be volunteering when someone else is in charge of what you do?