California Republicans put taxes on table for state budget deal

Sacramento Bee ^ | 1/22/9 | Jim Sanders

[SmithL]

After months of holding firm on a "no new taxes" pledge, some Republican lawmakers said Wednesday that they are willing to consider a tax hike as part of a wider-ranging deal to close the state's budget gap.

Republican legislators' internal budget discussions were part of a private, two-day policy conference at Sacramento's Hyatt Hotel.

The GOP caucus realizes a tax hike will be part of any budget pact but could support it only if agreement were reached on permanent program cuts, a hard spending cap and other issues, lawmakers said.

"The reforms have to be there," said Assemblyman Anthony Adams, R-Hesperia.

"(We must be able) to tell constituents, 'Look, we had to raise taxes, we had to go forward, but we've fundamentally altered the way in which Sacramento is going to be budgeted – and we will not have these problems again because of it,'" Adams said.

No deal seems imminent to bridge the state's projected $40 billion budget shortfall.

But Assemblyman Roger Niello, a Fair Oaks Republican who serves as vice chairman of the Assembly Budget Committee, said he senses a change in the tone of negotiations.

"I think both sides are beginning to at least discuss the priorities of the other side," he said.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders are expected to meet today in an attempt to hammer out an agreement.

Democrats need three GOP votes in both the Senate and Assembly to garner the two-thirds supermajority needed to pass a budget.

Democrats consistently have resisted GOP demands to roll back environmental and labor regulations to aid businesses, and to permanently cap state spending through a formula tied to inflation and population growth.

Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, in a media conference call, did not rule out the possibility Wednesday of reaching agreement on a spending cap.

[San Jacinto]

I don’t see why the dems would agree to any budget cuts. They are just gonna get Obama and Pelosi to make us in the Red States pay the bill for them. Same with NY, MIch, Mass, etc.

[Captain Kirk]

So much for theeory that Republicans would grow a backbone.

[mgstarr]

Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.
P.J. O’Rourke.

[AngelesCrestHighway]

“some Republican lawmakers said Wednesday that they are willing to consider a tax hike”......

Oh?....how about hiking a totem pole up your a#@!...

[Nathan Zachary]

"After months of holding firm on a "no new taxes" pledge, some Republican lawmakers said Wednesday that they are willing to consider a tax hike as part of a wider-ranging deal to close the state's budget gap."

Raising taxes just as a recession is rolling in, possibly escalating to a full blown depression. Brilliant move.

[NY.SS-Bar9]

In other news:

California leads the nation in emigration to other states.

California housing values have dropped 38% in the past year.

Anyone see a connection?

[CdMGuy]

Arnold and the Dem California legislature - whores of a feather, flock together.

[San Jacinto]

So much for theeory that Republicans would grow a backbone.

Well, the people elected so many dems they are only 3 shy of a super majority. I'm all for backbone, but I'm putting the blame squarely on the VOTERS.

We are on the verge of seeing the same thing nationally. The dems will put about 55% of the people on the dole, and then ask them to keep dems in power to keep the welfare and other perks coming.

The stars are lined up perfectly for Obama just like for FDR in 1932. I expect them to strike while the iron is hot and do it with great force.

[Nathan Zachary]

Yes, to the wildfires that conveniently destroy a lot of homes with 4 sales signs...

[tom h]

"California Republicans put taxes on table for state budget deal"

"I don’t see why the dems would agree to any budget cuts. They are just gonna get Obama and Pelosi to make us in the Red States pay the bill for them. Same with NY, MIch, Mass, etc."

But any federal relief will not come in time to avoid a financial catastrophe when the state can't pay its bills in a couple months.

So, unless that ugly fat cow of an Assembly Speaker, Karen Bass, can print money under the state capitol, she will have to come to terms with Republicans.

This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the Republicans to permanently restrain the Democrats. That's whey they are holding out for so long.

In case you wanted to know just how low our state has descended when it comes to picking political leaders:

Karen Bass, California Assembly Speaker

[Oldexpat]

We’ll get the tax increases, but will never see any budget cuts. I doubt that the tax increases will increase tax revenue’s..there are just too many people stretched thin and they will figure out a way to avoid them. Already, we get many services for cash..no sale tax and no employment tax. Increases in car registration will just lead to more older cars on the road(the way it was before) and less car sales taxes to boot.
Less withdrawals from 401s will also lead to less income tax..so on.

[Waco]

Yeah, raise some taxes, run some more folks out, pretend you can’t figure it out. (dead queers don’t pay many taxes.)

[DoughtyOne]

Proposition 0

Be it hereby resolved, the majority of California citizens voting yes on this proposition, all elected officials in Sacramento, California would be cast out of office on February 1st, 2010.

Bet it also resolve, said proposition passing, these elected officials would be banned from holding any future political office in the state, or serving on any commissions or boards that receive state funding, or are controlled by the state of California.

Bet it further resolved, said proposition passing, a special election will be hold on January 15th, 2010, to select new officials to represent the state.

Let it also be resolved, if a balanced budget is not presented by July 1, 2010, all elected officials will be terminated as of 12:01 am that morning. A special election will be held thirty days later, to replace them.

The citizens of California can no longer stand by and accept business as usual.

Their state budget has doubled in ten years. At the current rate, it will double again in ten years.

Passage of Proposition 0, will let the leaders of our state know, there is zero chance they will be able to continue to govern as they have. The screwing of the citizens of California is over!

[UncleDick]

What a surprise. The CA GOP prepares to fold once again, thereby assuring that the blame for the budget mess will rest upon them for not capitulating sooner.

[GeronL]

what possible reason would a California conservative have to cast a vote? Its meaningless.

[Boucheau]

This is the future for most states.

Don’t think you’re immune to this if you live outside of California, NY or Mass. — this is coming to your hometown shortly.

You’ve been warned — they are Marxist-Leninists they don’t care if you can pay your bills and take care of your family and follow your dreams—they need you to suffer so they can dominate you.

And it’s working. You aren’t doing a damn thing, America.

There are so many examples of them beating you down every day that you can’t even keep up with the useless complaining and whining that you are now so good at.

Say goodbye to America and the life you knew.

But keep watching the MSM. They are the opiate that will keep you still until you are lined up by the big hole—don’t mind the jackboots or the big barrels of lime. It will all be over soon.

[LiveFree]

Agreed Boucheau... CA is a glimpse of FED budgets to come... CA is liberalism at its finest... me, born, raised in Reagan Country, returned from a brief stint in the nav to CA for 18 years, left CA to TX in early ‘08 for life anew... never looked back. The country is beautiful in TX...state taxes are mostly property based, so everyone pays - land owners directly, renters through competitive market based rents...imagine that... what a concept...

[ridesthemiles]

For any members of this forum who are ready and willing to move from California to N Nevada, I have a rural property for sale. 5.58 acres. House/Garage..etc..Contact me by private messaging.
Health issues with my brother in Wisconsin have me seeking a location change.

[ALPAPilot]

California leads the nation in emigration to other states. California housing values have dropped 38% in the past year. Anyone see a connection?

Supply and Demand: it's not just a good idea, it's the law.