2 California propositions could undo budget patch (Howling Libtard Alert)

Los Angeles Times ^ | August 4, 2010 | Shane Goldmacher

[Zakeet]

Two propositions on the November ballot could create a $1-billion hole in California's already beleaguered budget by undoing one of the few agreements that lawmakers and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger have struck this year to shrink the deficit.

Tucked into both measures, written before the budget agreement, are provisions that apply retroactively to all of 2010. Opponents are now accusing the special interests behind the initiatives of pressing their agendas at the expense of the state.

"These two initiatives are Exhibits A and B as to why the initiative process needs to be reformed," said Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento).

Proposition 22 would put local government and transportation funds off-limits to Sacramento, and Proposition 26 would make it harder for state lawmakers and local governments to raise fees. Either initiative, if approved by voters, could repeal a $1-billion budget patch signed into law earlier this year that gave lawmakers flexibility in the use of certain gasoline tax money without changing what drivers pay at the pump.

[Snip]

"I hope that the people of California, when they go to the polls in November, will ask one simple question: Will the passage of these initiatives make the already significant state budget problem better or worse?" Steinberg said. "The answer is obvious, and they ought to vote no."

[Snip]

"The proponents are trying to protect themselves, but what they've done is hit schools, local governments and other programs" by potentially wiping out the $1-billion savings. said Lenny Goldberg, executive director of the California Tax Reform Assn. He called Proposition 26 "fatally flawed."

[Zakeet]

Those dumb a$$ voters are hurting schools, local governments and other programs by preventing us from raiding special funds and raising fees.

[Fee]

After Arnold became gov, he put up several referendums that would have reformed the system and finances. The people of CA rejected it. I know some will blame the unions, but the unions are only 15 percent of CA, it was the independents and soccer moms who were clueless about finances. Now the economy and real estate tanked and CA is near bankruptcy. CA has no one to blame but themselves when they rejected the initial reform referendums offered by Gov Arnold in his first term when the CA economy was still strong.

[calcowgirl]

After Arnold became gov, he put up several referendums that would have reformed the system and finances.

Wrong. His one "reform" proposal for the budget (Prop 76, the so-called "spending cap") deferred expenses, authorized more bonds/borrowing, and would have allowed higher spending than we have today. Despite the PR campaign that "Arnold tried", facts show otherwise.

CA has no one to blame but themselves when they rejected the initial reform referendums offered by Gov Arnold in his first term when the CA economy was still strong.

Hogwash. The Governor has had LINE ITEM VETO power since he took office. He PROPOSED and APPROVED record increases in spending and unprecedented borrowing -- even pushing a Constitutional amendment under the label of "reform" to allow for borrowing previously prohibited by the Constitution.

Please stop with the revisionist history.

[Lancey Howard]

but what they've done is hit schools, local governments and other programs" by potentially wiping out the $1-billion savings

How, exactly, can a smoke-and-mirrors budget gimmick be a "$1-billion savings"?
"Savings"?

(/chuckle)

[Lancey Howard]

Good post.
You are correct, of course. Those initiatives amounted to little more than a bunch of lame, loophole-ridden suggestions.

[Alberta's Child]

Interesting post.

One thing I've learned about the initiative/referendum process is that it is fatally flawed as applied in most states. The biggest problem is that there is nothing that prevents the voters from simultaneously approving propositions that directly contradict each other (I believe this happened in California a few years ago) -- or from approving propositions that turn into unlimited mandates for funding in future years.

[zeugma]

Either initiative, if approved by voters, could repeal a $1-billion budget patch signed into law earlier this year that gave lawmakers flexibility in the use of certain gasoline tax money without changing what drivers pay at the pump.

If this stays, in a few years they'll be whining about the fact that they don't have enough money to fix the roads. Gotta raise the gas tax again!