Assembly Democrats push budget plan that doesn't need GOP support

Sacramento Bee ^ | 6/29/9 | Steve Wiegand and Jim Sanders

[SmithL]

Democratic legislators trotted out a stick-and-carrot approach to closing the state's budget gap Sunday night, negotiating with the governor on one floor of the Capitol while voting for a package of cuts and taxes on another.

Majority Democrats in the Assembly were voting late Sunday on a $23.4 billion package of spending cuts, tax and fee increases, and accounting tricks designed to close a gaping hole in the budget for the fiscal year that starts Wednesday.

Unlike last week's efforts, when at least some Republican votes were needed to pass the bills so they could take effect immediately, Sunday's package required simple majority votes, which Democrats could provide.

The difference is the bills would not take effect until 90 days after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signs them – and he has made clear he opposes any deal that includes taxes and fees.

Sunday night's package included a 9.9 percent tax on oil production, a $1.50-per-package tax on cigarettes and a $15 per vehicle registration fee.

While tax hikes normally require two-thirds approval, Democrats argued that by eliminating an 18-cent per-gallon excise tax on gasoline, the net revenue to the state becomes zero and thus doesn't represent a tax hike. Sunday's bills then would replace the excise tax with an equivalent fee, which Democrats argue does not require a two-thirds vote.

[Not now, Not ever!]

Hope you like being sued, Karen.

[Bigh4u2]

“Democrats argued that by eliminating an 18-cent per-gallon excise tax on gasoline, the net revenue to the state becomes zero and thus doesn’t represent a tax hike.”

Shell game.

[Seaplaner]

Democrats argued that the state is in the throes of the worst fiscal crisis since the Great Depression [actually, since James Earl Carter]...

and that it would be immoral not to generate new revenues [CONFISCATION of earnings is not GENERATION of revenues, and our alleged legislators have proven over-and-over that wealth confiscation REDUCES tax receipts] ...

thus risking, they said, indefensible cuts to schools [California schools have no idea how to manage money or even where the money goes] ...

and devastation of the safety net for needy ["needy", aka welfare rats and illegal aliens are a significant fraction of "needy"] ...

and disabled [wouldn't you love to know how many "disabled" are truly disabled and even are citizens?]Californians.

.

[goldstategop]

California Democrats appear to be deaf to voters who said NO to $16 billion in extra taxes in May. Who the heck are they trying to kid?

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus