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.
I’m with you on that. Gonzales is not innocent in a lot of things.
Can't end off peacefully, can you? You just had to get that final dig in.
Lady, I don't know you, and I have no idea why you chose to target me today. Maybe you just enjoy throwing bricks at people and starting fights.
Why not expend all of that aggression in the direction of those who actually mean you harm - like the leftist moonbats?
Good day.
Well, bully for you, Miss Brilliant. You want to lump me in with the other few million conservatives who reluctantly gave their votes to Arnold, go right ahead. Most of us are big enough to admit that we did, and that we regret it.
Lambasting and ripping up your fellow conservatives about their poor vote for Arnold isn't going to accomplish anything but making enemies in your own camp. How 'bout shooting at the real enemy? Now there's a thought.
What's up with that posture, friend? I thought we were all on the same team here.
Besides, California is my birthplace. I'll hang my hat there anytime I want, thank you.
That's Mr. Brilliant, which you could have easily checked out by going to my FR page. THAT is how ignorant you are.
You want to lump me in with the other few million conservatives who reluctantly gave their votes to Arnold, go right ahead. Most of us are big enough to admit that we did, and that we regret it.
Actually, not enough have been inured against a repeat offense. There are promises, but that does not address what happens at the point of choice. Witness your explanation of Arnold as a witless pawn. It is demonstrably not true.
Lambasting and ripping up your fellow conservatives about their poor vote for Arnold isn't going to accomplish anything but making enemies in your own camp. How 'bout shooting at the real enemy? Now there's a thought.
The "enemy" is laziness in self-government, voters willing to buy a TV message without checking it for integrity. Witness your lack of the willingness to make a simple click of a link to check my gender before you posted. Your desire to attack in response is indicative of continuing self-justification and lack of repentance sufficient to change behavior.
Ummmm... that was peaceful. I would hope that all people learn from experience and adjust their beliefs and actions accordingly. Isn't that why we all learn?
Lady, I don't know you, and I have no idea why you chose to target me today. Maybe you just enjoy throwing bricks at people and starting fights.
I did not target you. I disagreed with your post and gave you evidence on why it was incorrect. If you think that is fighting or throwing bricks, I can only wonder why you are on a forum that has a primary purpose of political debate.
Why not expend all of that aggression in the direction of those who actually mean you harm - like the leftist moonbats?
Arnold is a leftist moonbat. The sooner people realize it, the sooner we can dismiss the enemy and start fighting the Democrats. Good day.
Actually, we disagree there. I believe he's got a "daddy problem" in that he hungers for approval from authority while simultaneously seeking to exceed his father's expectations with all sorts of self-aggrandizing and posturing. In neither case can his hunger be satisfied, so he keeps on with his desperate drive. In his private moments of powerless and pain, he seeks comfort from "mommy" Maria.
IOW, he's a pathetic and childish sicko.
Okay, I will accept that correction. Lots of authoritarian crazed “leaders” have suffered similarly.
Would you accept “Arnold is as dangerous as a leftist moonbat, if not more so”?
The. Only. Answer. The FairTax.
Before this is all over...Obama will make Reagan look like a liberal...if he wishes to keep the country from igniting.
No. Sic,
“Arnold is FAR more dangerous than a leftist moonbat.”
Okay! I will concur!
Lancey, in that picture of Schwarzenegger and Obama, notice how much taller Schwarzenegger appears. Schwarzenegger is supposed to be 6’2 or 6’1 and I’ve heard that Obama is 6’2”. Now unless Schwarzenegger is standing on a platform or Obama is standing in a hole, those numbers just don’t add up.
What do you think?
I was thinking exactly the same thing. Schwarzenneger is clearly 2+” taller than Dumbo.
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