Replies

I just stepped out of the Sacramento Convention Center where the California Republican Party's Executive Committee met today to take positions on the propositions appearing on the May 19 Special Election Ballot.

The Executive Committee overwhelmingly voted to oppose Propositions 1A - 1F. The greatest attention of course has been directed at Proposition 1A, which if passed would impose a cap on state spending but also extends recently enacted tax increases for an additional two years. As always, Republicans remain opposed to the high taxes that make it more difficult for families to get by, increase incentives for people and employers to move out of state, and usually fail to produce anticipated revenue.

California's tax burden is higher than the national average and so is its unemployment rate. Texas, by contrast, enjoys lower taxes and an unemployment rate significantly lower than the national average. The lesson is clear (except to Democrats): high taxes and big, annoying government drives jobs and opportunities elsewhere.

Republicans have long understood that out of control spending generated by a Democrat-dominated legislature with the "power of the purse" directly contributes to the state's perpetual budget deficits. That's why Republicans have consistently pushed for caps on state spending and a bigger budget reserve to reduce the pressure for tax increases. Democrats, by contrast, have consistently opposed spending caps and instead offer only one tax increase after another.

Incredibly, the Democrats have now proposed even more taxes and spending beyond those recently enacted, including a plastic bag tax, a marijuana tax, a tax on markers and spray paint, and their usual tricks to make it easier to raise taxes in the future.

We've already moved to take action to promote the Republican Party's recommendations on the May 19 propositions. In just the last few minutes our website's main page has been replaced to emphasize our recommendations on these ballot measures. Visit cagop.org and you'll see what I mean. Downloadable voter guides and related information will be available beginning Tuesday.

Thank you for your leadership and work in putting Republican ideas into action.

All the best,

Ron Nehring
CHAIRMAN, California Republican Party