California: Fiscal folly requires radical reform (By Kathleen Connell )

The Orange County Register ^ | Sunday, February 2, 2003 | Kathleen Connell - Former California State Controller

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Life had been so golden in California during the boom-boom years of Silicon Valley's expansion. Every click of new technology morphed into Yellowstone-sized geysers of revenues, as state coffers overflowed with capital gains and income taxes. The state reduced motor vehicle license taxes, downsized classes in lower elementary school grades, expanded health-care benefits for the poor and increased spending on general government services.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Good thoughts from Kathleen!

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[Carry_Okie]

Earth to Kathleen: Any kind of "Reform" you would get out of this crowd will only make things worse.

[Steel Wolf]

Re-electing Davis was playing Russian roulette with a semi-automatic pistol. Bush will make sure that Davis gets no slack from him. California is far too wealthy to be supported by the other states, who generally view California as two notches down from France on the 'annoying foriegners' meter.

Does Davis have what it takes to make the tough choices and save the state?

[I_Love_My_Husband]

No. He only wants to raise taxes here for our illegal immigrants so they can vote democratic in the next election.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Right on!

Willie Brown and Grayout Davis are working on raiding CALPERS as we breath!

[janetgreen]

State governments are struggling to pay for the expensive programs they gladly initiated in the boom-boom years and failed to curtail even though the economy began to cool in 2000.

Eliminating the welfare magnet might help a bit.

[elbucko]

In the tension-filled months ahead, all governmental spending needs to be scrutinized with a zero-based discipline imposed, examining every dollar requested, not just new program proposals.

NOT A CHANCE!
Not with the Cal Dem Party in majority possession of the statehouse. Those Dems, such as Debra Bowen are not interested in cutting the waste in state government, but in proposing laws that make existing legal activities illegal and therefore punishable with a fine. Some will be rather "excessive".

Beware the "New Democrat" method of raising taxes, by using fines as a method of "Revenue Enhancement". From legal firearms to legal vehicles, the Dems are going to extort the good citizens of each state to balance the budgets.

[elbucko]

...who generally view California as two notches down from France on the 'annoying foreigners' meter.

I know what you mean and have to agree. However, as a 2nd. generation California native, I have noticed it has been the contamination from the Eastern states - Barbara Boxer is a "Red Diaper" New Yorker - that has turned California into a pariah, rather than the "almost paradise" it was trying to be.

[John Jorsett]

who generally view California as two notches down from France on the 'annoying foriegners' meter

Now that's a funny line. All the more so because it's true.

[El Laton Caliente]

"...by the other states, who generally view California as two notches down from France on the 'annoying foreigners' meter."

You haven't talked the people from NV, CO, ID, AZ, and TX etc. Kali is several notches above the frogs. The frogs don't have the box and fink-n-stein in Washington! The frogs didn't vote for gore. The frogs aren't moving into other states to escape the mess they made out of kali and try to bring the same socialism to them!

I've been predicting the fall of socialist kalifornicate for about twelve years. The is no way a state can soak the rich, drive up taxes, run out industry and overflow itself with illegals and expect to survive.

With the electrical shortage there is at least one power plant over there that cannot get licensed. They close their nuke with twenty years of life left in it. Then wonder why the lights are out.

LA gets its water out of Lakes Meade and Mohave. They are pumping so much water out that the Colorado River never gets to the Gulf of California. So much for environmental issues that actually affect them!

Don’t import middle-eastern oil, but you can’t drill in kali offshore or Alaska.

I haven’t even stated my rant about crime and the kali gun laws!

Whew! I feel better now…

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Good rant!

[Robert357]

I guess Kathleen isn't going to stay silent, while out of office. I wonder if this means she is going to be running for something else?

[concentric circles]

Sacramento Lexicon:

Reform = Take more money from everyone.

[ScottinSacto]

Yes, and I fail to see why "radical thinking" is required for reform to happen....every single citizen accomplishes the same goal every month when they pay the bills and balance the check book. A little bit in the hole doesn't lead to going out to dinner 16 times during the month...it means eating leftovers and adjusting the thermostat. And Kathleen is just stretching at maintaining her relevancy here.

[expatpat]

Yes, I think you're right. The few native Californians around were good solid citizens (many of them still live in the interior), but California had too many attractions (climate, scenic beauty, beaches, mountains), and attracted all the wrong types.

[4Liberty]

Teacher Unions control California. - are #1 lobbying group, 1/2 of budget goes to Education. I get hosed - er "enjoy privilege of" - losing 1% my pay to college's union, EVERY month. OVER half that -- .6% -- is forcibly spent for "political" (DEM) uses, lobbying. Davis will cut infrastructure and roads - but public labor. Doesn't want to hurt the DNC subsidy he's secured running up budget for 3 years, "accidently" on purpose. No way he cuts Edn or any worker in union, paying his 1% dues DIRECTLY to Dem causes, courtesy taxpayers. IT SUCKS. Fight & vote for LIBERTY!! VOUCHERS NOW!!!!

[Mr. Jeeves]

Yes, and I fail to see why "radical thinking" is required for reform to happen...

Reducing spending in any way is radical thinking for a Democrat.

[Mr. Jeeves]

...but California had too many attractions (climate, scenic beauty, beaches, mountains), and attracted all the wrong types.

Personal character is required to live in a cold weather climate - those who don't have any tend to move to where the living is easier. It's hard on those of us who have lived in California all our lives, because our taxes must pay the freight for an increasing army of parasites.

[Hostage]

I lived in California from 1970 through 1990. During that time more than 10 million people moved in, many from the 70's "rust belt". Quality of life deteriorated steadily to the point that I was more than happy to leave.

In 1970 when I arrived to California, it was very nice. People were relaxed, friendly and very accepting. Taxes were reasonable, lawyers and people from across the border were scarce relative to now, the mountains were visible and real estate was affordable.

California now pays unemployed people to move to Nevada.