Posted on 04/08/2009 8:46:59 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
WOODLAND HILLS - As he launched a radio ad campaign Tuesday for his budget measures on the May 19 ballot, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said failure to approve the package would worsen the state's already-dire fiscal crisis.
"If they don't pass, we will be facing a $50 billion problem," Schwarzenegger said at a meeting with Daily News editors and reporters. "It will mean massive cuts in education, hospitals, prisons. These are things people don't want to see cut."
Schwarzenegger's campaign committee, Budget Reform Now, began its advertising campaign Tuesday for the six ballot measures - Propositions 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E and 1F - with a radio ad that highlights the impact of the budget crisis on state services.
The campaign has raised more than $6 million so far, officials said, to finance the print, radio and television campaign. The governor has also held public appearances and town town hall meetings around the state to rally voter support.
"When we are able to explain to the people, they get it," Schwarzenegger said. "We know people are furious. But once we explain to them what we are trying to do, they support it."
Schwarzenegger said the proposals are similar to ones that past governors have sought to limit state spending.
"None of us like raising taxes," Schwarzenegger said. "(But) anyone who says you can solve this without raising taxes is hallucinating, is on drugs or has a math problem."
The measures were part of a compromise developed by the governor and lawmakers to pass the budget this year.
The package enacts a wide range of budget reforms including extending tax increases, creating a bigger rainy day fund, borrowing against future lottery earnings and capping raises of top state officials when the state is facing a deficit.
Most of the attention and opposition has been generated against Proposition 1A, which extends new tax increases for up to two years to balance the budget, generating about $16 billion.
Some public unions oppose the measure partly because of concern it would limit growth and salary increases for the state work force.
The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association has come out against Proposition 1A, saying it's a tax increase that does nothing to rein in spending.
"It has a built-in loophole allowing them to increase spending if they get more revenue," said Jon Coupal, president of the organization.
"This is just another shot of heroin for addicts. Until there is a realization that the taxpayer capacity to pay is limited, they will continue to overtax and say the sky is falling. We just don't buy it."
But the governor argued the measure also includes provisions to establish a rainy-day fund - which sets aside revenues in boom years to cover the extra costs in down years. Schwarzenegger said it also contains a cap on spending.
"When you get extra money, they will always spend it," the governor said of the Legislature. "That's the way it's always been. It's just human nature. That's why this budget reform is historic."
Joel Fox, a Republican consultant and former president of the Jarvis association who accompanied Schwarzenegger at the meeting, supports the measures.
"This is a flexible cap that will survive," Fox said. "None of us like taxes. But, if you look back, all our taxes have been raised to fund existing programs, not pay for new programs."
One option the governor says is not on the table is allowing the state to collapse.
"The cost of inaction is letting California go off the cliff. We still have all those contracts to honor and a federal receiver could come in, and no one wants that," said Assembly Minority Leader Mike Villines, R-Fresno.
Despite bipartisan agreement in Sacramento over the measures, a poll by the Public Policy Institute of California released in March found that all but the one limiting public officials' raises have an approval rating under 50 percent.
Schwarzenegger said he also felt he has a responsibility as governor to make sure that services - from education to health care - continue to be offered.
"When I was running, I opposed taxes. I despise taxes," Schwarzenegger said. "But when you get in this office, you see things differently. You realize how important these services are to the people."
Also, he said, the need for government services has increased as the economy has declined.
Schwarzenegger said he has held town hall-style meetings where he asks people where they would cut funding, and everyone wants to save services like schools, hospitals and prisons. Tax increases, in such cases, become the only option.
Schwarzenegger also rejected proposals to raise money by legalizing and taxing marijuana or selling state assets such as San Quentin prison.
"You hear those ideas all the time, you could make maybe $1 billion and we have a $50 billion problem," Schwarzenegger said. "When you get down to it and people say we should legalize marijuana, allow oil drilling or sell San Quentin, it is a ridiculous notion."
The governor said he also is aware of voter anger and frustration, but he hopes the campaign can appeal to voter reason.
He said he was prepared to stand up for legislators - primarily Republicans - who support the package and face threats of recall or serious opposition in their re-election.
What? No ambulance chasing? LOL.
As to JD, hopefully this little Ted Stevens shake-up will end the DOJ witchhunt. (fingers crossed).
Here's another slap jack ass!
I did work for that socialist POS, pussy whipped socialist before he ever ran for Governor and warned everyone here what he was so shut up foreigner!
Cowgirl, I am not now, nor have I ever been anything close to an ardent supporter of Arnold Schwarzenegger.
You’ve apparently got me confused with someone who actually gives a damn about the man. I don’t.
What I’ve said on this thread may be interpreted by you as “apologies”, but I’ve done no such thing. I’ve stated my views and observations about the man. That’s it.
I don’t claim to be any sort of expert about his background, or political life, prior to his running for Governor of California.
You’ve obviously spent a great deal of time and effort studying this guy, and that’s a good thing. Many of us didn’t, nor have we done so since he was elected. If you want to enlighten the rest of us with what you know about him, I welcome it.
" Und dont vorget, ai getda jops for Chonny and Wooty as Val-Mart
greetahs, Home Depot paint mixahs, McD's ketchop pumpahs, unt vaitahs at Ved Lopstah. Becuz dah Republican Potty tinks RINOS arh pure crapola."
I hope you're talking to Arnie.
Why do you continue to MISQUOTE what I say? I did not say you were a "supporter," ardent or otherwise.
You’ve obviously spent a great deal of time and effort studying this guy, and that’s a good thing. Many of us didn’t, nor have we done so since he was elected. If you want to enlighten the rest of us with what you know about him, I welcome it.
Then why the heck do you continue to suggest that he is just "overwhelmed" or innocent in this whole charade? You can call those "views and observations," but if one looks at the record as a whole (as well as his record before the election), one would have to conclude that maybe they were misled, bamboozled, lied to, or something other than the explanations I have seen you post.
Can you not recognize that you have left a long list of apologies for the man?
It always takes me forever to translate those, LOL.
Sure, California is bankrupt. But, calcowgirl, does the fact I married a Kennedy count for nothing?And don't forget, I got the jobs for Johnny and Rooty as Wal-Mart greeters, Home Depot paint mixers, McD's ketchup pumpers, and waiters at Red Lobster. Because the Republican Party thinks RINOs are pure crapola."
I never said that you did. Read my post again.
Cowgirl, you're stirring, but nothing's mixing.
I made some statements about my views on Gov. Schwarz and you want to open up a major discussion about what I said. Seriously, I don't want to explain myself to you any longer.
If you've got well-informed views about Arnold, then by all means state them here. If they're informative, then I and others will read them and learn something.
No, you, texan!!!!
C.O. -- I meant to ping you to my post #100
I thought I'd let you post the link to your analysis.
The only way out for California is to abolish welfare entirely, engage in a massive program to identify and expel illegal aliens, and do massive layoffs among the "social service" bureaucracy. Good luck seeing it happen.
Well ok, but I didn't challenge you to post that.
LOL .. my family would crack up laughing hearing that.
Let them laugh, just stay out of Californi and i’ll stay out of texas, every time i’ve been there I couldn’t get out quick enough.!
The only descent place there is Marble Falls where they have cheap avaition fuel.
Ronald Reagan was not a loser!
(See how that works?)
Seriously, I don't want to explain myself to you any longer.
Whatever.
I and others will read them and learn something.
One can only hope that you might use that knowledge to adjust your "views and opinions."
LOL-—velly goodt.
An Analysis of Arnold Schwarzenegger's Environmental Policy
Arnold belongs lock, stock, and barrel to the very same people who generated the California Power Crisis that got Gray Davis recalled.
Lumping oil drilling in with selling SanQentin and legalizing drugs? Yeah those oil revenues sure haven't done Alaska any good have they.
Yeah, we sure don't hear any more about charges against the man once he decided not to seek reelection. Our Gain is McClintock but I'm sick of the libs pulling this crap to knock our guys out.
Yeah... and when RINOs pull the crap, too. Not sure who was really behind some of these actions.
I do not consider Alberto Gonzales to be innocent in some of this mess.
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