Thanks for posting the summary of the news. I heard the show, too, and I thought only Davis was moving toward that type of budget, but the rest of the democrats weren't.
Also, as a clarification, Davis is only reducing spending with this proposal, not necessarily reducing taxes. He's not backing off the car tax, either.
All this had me wondering: if Davis shows some leadership and gets a budget with no new taxes (except the car tax hike), will it help his chances of surviving the recall election if it's held this fall? He can say he saved us from any new taxes (and try to label himself a fiscal conservative) without really hurting any employees or making any noticeable change in government services.
should have been: not necessarily preventing new or increased taxes.
Davis and the democrat State Senators were considering the idea, but Herb Wesson and the Assembly democrats weren't.
The Democrats haven't rejected it outright, which is 'considering' it by the standards of what's gone on recently.
Also, as a clarification, Davis is only reducing spending with this proposal, not necessarily reducing taxes.
Absolutely. I'd no more expect him to reduce taxes than to cut off his arm. But it's an acknowledge he isn't going to get any new revenue (with the exception of the car tax, which we voters are going to abolish through initiative anyway). No additional taxes would be a major position change from where's he's been.
All this had me wondering: if Davis shows some leadership and gets a budget with no new taxes (except the car tax hike), will it help his chances of surviving the recall election if it's held this fall? He can say he saved us from any new taxes (and try to label himself a fiscal conservative) without really hurting any employees or making any noticeable change in government services.
I'd definitely expect him to try the "I saved you from further taxes!" ploy. Whether it would succeed or not, there's no telling until the election. At the least, he wouldn't take a further hit as he would if the budget impasse sends the state over the brink into functional bankruptcy.
This may be a little too Pollyanish of me, but I think not. I'm of the mind that when people actually have to start paying that car tax, that's going to be the icing on the cake.