Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

California budget talks marked by secrecy
L.A. Times ^ | February 11, 2009 | Eric Bailey

Posted on 02/11/2009 2:06:12 PM PST by americanophile

Reporting from Sacramento -- Under the gilded dome of the state Capitol, the Cone of Silence has descended. A veil has been drawn. Secrecy has prevailed as the wizards have labored behind the green curtain to find a way out of California's $42-billion budget hole. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the top four legislative leaders have again been meeting behind closed doors as California teeters at the brink of fiscal insolvency. Rank-and-file lawmakers, special interest groups and the public have been shut out of the bargaining process. There have been no public hearings, no chance for input -- and that has some folks riled. They worry about not having time to properly scrutinize -- and help shape -- a blueprint expected to chart California's fiscal course until the middle of 2010. "It's an abuse of power," said state Sen. Roy Ashburn (R-Bakersfield), who has not been involved in the negotiations. "To have it done in secret, and deliberately so, is unacceptable."

(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Government; US: California
KEYWORDS: abuseofpower; ashburn; bigfive; budget; calbudget; california; secrecy; taxes
A secret tax-laden budget that may be voted on a Friday evening...any Republican that votes for this cr*p should beware!
1 posted on 02/11/2009 2:06:13 PM PST by americanophile
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: americanophile
"California teeters at the brink of fiscal insolvency"

I have to say, that I think we're at the point where the best thing for the state may be to officially go bankrupt. Only a collapse of this horrendous status quo might create the pain sufficient to break the Democrat/union stranglehold on California.

2 posted on 02/11/2009 2:09:34 PM PST by americanophile
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: americanophile

“A Cone of Silence has descended”.

Were Agent Maxwell Smart and The Chief anywhere in building?

( Guess THAT dates me!)


3 posted on 02/11/2009 2:16:31 PM PST by Dixiekraut (Rommel......you magnificent bastard....I READ YOUR BOOK !!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Dixiekraut

The secret is ... we will screw the middle class royally!


4 posted on 02/11/2009 2:17:26 PM PST by whitedog57
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: americanophile
...the Democrat/union stranglehold on California.

Therein lies the problem.

They hold the purse strings.

Including Arnold Kennedy(D)

5 posted on 02/11/2009 2:19:17 PM PST by Syncro (Ti Ming -- Use Librally)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Dixiekraut
( Guess THAT dates me!)

Not really. They used that gag in the new get smart movie as well.
6 posted on 02/11/2009 2:28:58 PM PST by messierhunter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: americanophile

ABOLISH THE BIG FIVE!


7 posted on 02/11/2009 2:40:15 PM PST by calcowgirl ("Liberalism is just Communism sold by the drink." P. J. O'Rourke)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: americanophile

I have to say, that I think we’re at the point where the best thing for the state may be to officially go bankrupt. Only a collapse of this horrendous status quo might create the pain sufficient to break the Democrat/union stranglehold on California.
::::::::::
Liberalism and gross irresponsibility has sunk Taxifornia and of course, the liberal solution to EVERYTHING is to just take more from the business and private sector — continuing the downward spiral of business and indivdual exodus from Taxifornia. Remember that reducing taxation and spending is not a consideration for a LIBERAL LEGISLATURE and that remains Taxifornia’s problem which the voting electorate refuse to CORRECT.


8 posted on 02/11/2009 2:41:14 PM PST by EagleUSA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: americanophile

But if that happened then noone would lend us anymore money and we would have to run balanced budgets from now until ... oh wait ... that would be a good thing!


9 posted on 02/11/2009 2:45:40 PM PST by who_would_fardels_bear (The cosmos is about the smallest hole a man can stick his head in. - Chesterton)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: americanophile

Word is we get to vote on reigning in the growth of government. If we vote for an annual spending cap (inflation plus population growth) then the “temporary” tax increases last 5 years. If we vote to continue to allow the big spending liberals to raise spending to whatever they need to buy more votes then the “temporary” tax increases only last 2 years.

How could the Republicans agree to that? If you are a fiscal conservative how to you vote? Sounds like we are doomed.


10 posted on 02/11/2009 3:23:01 PM PST by blue state conservative
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: who_would_fardels_bear

The Illegals have had their way. California is now, politically at least, a Third World country.


11 posted on 02/11/2009 3:24:40 PM PST by Melchior
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: americanophile

Cue Red Hot Chili Peppers “California” song...


12 posted on 02/11/2009 3:28:47 PM PST by Extremely Extreme Extremist (The Libertarian and Constitution Parties should merge into one)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson