[I am Richard Brandon]

Does anyone know how much they have increased revenue expectations (more/higher taxes and fees etc.) and how much they have cut from their spending in response to this emergency?

[Amerigomag]

Does anyone know how much they have increased revenue expectations and how much they have cut from their spending ?

The executive has suggested substantial cuts in spending with a bag full of accounting gimmicks to bridge the $27B gap. The legislature has a 40/60 mix of cuts and revenue increases.

Both are looking at:

1) An increase in the consumption tax rate.
2) An increase in sin taxes.
3) An expansion of consumption taxes to include some professional services.
4) Ways around Prop 13; surcharging home-owners insurance and a services component on property taxes.
5) Introduction of small to moderate fees for a host of traditional, General Fund services.

Neither side is willing to publicly suggest a temporary suspension of Prop 98. A suspension, with a guarantee of 40% (the original floor of Prop 98) of available revenue, would solve the 2009-2010 crisis all by itself. The NEA is a powerful union.