CA: GOP hints at softer stance on taxes

Sac Bee ^ | 5/27/03 | Alexa H. Bluth

[NormsRevenge]

In their public pronouncements, most Republican lawmakers say they won't vote for a tax increase this year.

They have no interest, they say, in rewarding Democrats for high-spending ways they believe put the state in a budget hole now approaching $40 billion.

[NormsRevenge]

State paychecks roll off the printer at the state controller's office. Republicans are looking for ways to revive the state's spending cap.

Sacramento Bee/Randall Benton

[NormsRevenge]

Ping

[NormsRevenge]

Though the notion of holding state government spending to hard-and-fast limits is unpopular with Democrats, it appears to be one of their strongest bargaining chips to win GOP support for a state budget compromise before the July 1 start of the next fiscal year.

"If we had a spending cap that worked, we wouldn't be struggling right now to fix a budget hole that is larger than the budgets of 47 other states," Senate Republican leader Jim Brulte said.

[daviddennis]

Lawmakers were forced to cut spending by $892 million this fiscal year and nearly $1 billion for the 2003-04 budget year because of falling revenues. The shortfall is a fraction of that facing California, but the Rocky Mountain State's $13 billion budget is far smaller than California's proposed $100.4 billion spending plan.

This paragraph shows a most unfortunate bias in favour of California, which they don't deserve. Our budget gap of $30 billion is 1/3 of our budget! Colorado's is less than 1/10th of theirs.

D

[Eala]

they might grudgingly accept some temporary tax hikes

Ain't no such animal.

[Digger]

temporary tax hikes -- as long as Democrats agree to restrain the growth of state spending in the future.

Huh? Is this the code words for getting screwed again by the commies?

[Lancey Howard]

I wish the article NAMED the weak-kneed, scumbag Republicans who they claim are willing to raise taxes. Nobody with an IQ over 60 trusts the scumbag Democrats on "spending caps" as far as they can throw Jerry Nadler. This "spending cap" baloney therefore would amount to nothing more than a slimy attempt at providing cover for raising taxes.

I would love to know the NAMES of these scumbag Republicans - - if indeed there is any truth to the article. (This whole story could well be a trial balloon "leaked" to the author just to see how gullible the public is on the "spending caps" con job.)

[MHT]

Democrats will NEVER cut spending--so the only course any Republican worthy of the elephant above his name would have is to shut off the source of Democrat addiction--tax revenue.

Can you be a Republican and still be for a tax increase? No.

[Uncle Hal]

It will be a big mistake if the GOP gives in on a tax increse. We must hold their feet to the fire. No tax increase under any circumstances. We can not trust the Dems. They will knife us in the back if we make a deal on taxes.

[Kozak]

Lawmakers were forced to cut spending by $892 million this fiscal year and nearly $1 billion for the 2003-04 budget year because of falling revenues. The shortfall is a fraction of that facing California, but the Rocky Mountain State's $13 billion budget is far smaller than California's proposed $100.4 billion spending plan.

Right, the caps not perfect. BUT on a proportional basis Colorado's deficit would have to approach 8 billion to equal California's. Put another way if California learned not to spend money like a drunken sailor it's deficit would be a managable 8 billion instead of an insane 40 bilion. Damn am I glad I left in 97.

[skeeter]

Cut off state services to illegal aliens = end of budget problem.

Will the state even consider this solution?

No.

Will any of the state's major media organs even mention it?

HELL no.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Thanks for the ping!

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[John Jorsett]

as long as Democrats agree to restrain the growth of state spending in the future.

I hope they're really not that stupid. A Sacramento Dem's promise is utterly worthless, at least as regards taxes and spending.

[GOPrincess]

"they might grudgingly accept some temporary tax hikes"


Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mr. Jeeves]

We aren't spending 30 billion extra just on services to illegal aliens. The unrestrained growth of state government, and the hiring of way too many unqualified teachers to meet class-size reduction goals have been bigger contributors.

Unfortunately, there isn't one big, easy target to shoot at - there are a whole lot of moderate-sized targets, every one of which is "critical" to some legislator or another.

[skeeter]

We aren't spending 30 billion extra just on services to illegal aliens.

Of course you're right. But CA is spending around 4 billion annually related to illegals & I have a major problem with this talk of tax increases while even one dollar goes to folks who aren't supposed to be here.

[Carry_Okie]

"If we had a spending cap that worked, we wouldn't be struggling right now to fix a budget hole that is larger than the budgets of 47 other states," Senate Republican leader Jim Brulte said.

Weasel. Here's what he should have said,

"If Davis had respected the will of the voters who passed Proposition 187, we wouldn't be struggling right now to fix a budget hole that is larger than the budgets of 47 other states," Senate Republican leader Jim Brulte said.

[ZGuy]

Keith Richardson was the RINO who caved to the dems on last years budget. He would be at the top of the "watch" list.

[NEWwoman]

It will be a big mistake if the GOP gives in on a tax increse. We must hold their feet to the fire. No tax increase under any circumstances. We can not trust the Dems. They will knife us in the back if we make a deal on taxes.

Right on, Uncle Hal!

Remember President Bush, the elder, and his "Read my lips: no new taxes" pledge? He went soft and caved understanding that the Democrats in control would have spending caps. They raised taxes alright, but the Dems never kept their end of the bargain in spending caps.

Then Bush lost to Clinton ... More new taxes ... And 8 years of Fraud and Deceit.