Posted on 12/19/2008 10:04:05 AM PST by SmithL
Democratic legislators attempted Thursday to take a big bite out of the state's budget deficit by passing a complex, $18 billion mélange of legally uncertain spending cuts and new taxes, but Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger quickly doused it with the icy water of a veto threat.
Schwarzenegger labeled portions of the 16-bill package as "bogus," but the parts he rejected related more to so-called "economic stimulus" than its budget-related provisions. He indicated that he could accept a revised version, even though Republican legislators and anti-tax groups denounced it as an unconstitutional money grab.
However, legislative leaders said they don't intend to resume the budget battle until January, which would give lawmakers very little time to deal with the fiscal meltdown that state officials say is looming in February when the state runs out of cash to pay its bills.
Even were Schwarzenegger to sign a revised package containing the provisions that labor unions and environmental groups despise, GOP legislators and anti-tax groups would challenge it as an illegal evasion of the state constitution's requirement that new taxes receive two-thirds of legislative votes.
The scheme hinges on two legally debatable points – whether wiping out per-gallon and sales taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel and replacing them with new sales, income and oil extraction taxes, then imposing a new "fee" on fuel – violates both the two-thirds vote requirement and limits on fees.
Were the courts to ratify the plan, it could effectively repeal the two-thirds vote barrier that has been a major hangup in closing the ever-growing deficit because Republican legislators have steadfastly rejected new taxes. Democrats would be free to impose more fees, such as one on carbon emissions, and they left little doubt they'd do it . . .
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
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That's our Gubby!
Wow, I expected the RINO to pass it without question.
To paraphrase Gertrude Stein, a tax is a tax is a tax. And I hope this gets vetoed; it would do a lot to improve my opinion of the Governator.
I hope this gets vetoed; it would do a lot to improve my opinion of the Governator.
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Boy, are you easy. ;-]
This is a speedbump on his way to signing off down the road.
a belated Welcome to FR, btw
No, my opinion of him is THAT LOW! :) And thank you.
"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
The Governor would do a lot for his reputation by freezing education salaries and stop supporting illegals from Mexico. Freeze all salaries for state employees until the budget is balanced without raising taxes. Raising taxes will just put more people out of work. Companies are already planning layoffs if taxes go up.
"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
"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
“Were the courts to ratify the plan, ...”
This is the same court that saw the ‘right’ for homosexuals to marry in the ‘aura of a penumbra.’ It’s a done deal.
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