McClintock Responds to Bustamante's "Tough on California" Plan

Tom McClintock for Governor ^ | 8/20/2003 | Tom McClintock

[kellynla]

Senator Tom McClintock today issued the following response to Cruz Bustamante's "tough on California" statement.

"I was hoping for more of a message of hope and optimism from our Lt. Governor. What California received was more of the failed Gray Davis type leadership from the second most powerful person in the state. When the Lt. Governor says we have to 'sacrifice' he is not kidding. Unfortunately, it is the hard-working, taxpaying families of California that will suffer and not his special interest and public employee union friends.

"At a time when state government is taking a higher percentage of California's personal income than at any time in our history, Mr. Bustamante proposes a TEN BILLION dollar tax increase. This will mean that working families and small businesses will have to find another $1,150 somewhere in their budgets to continue the Sacramento spending spree.

"Much like Governor Davis, who called his illegal tripling of the car tax a 'cut' in state spending, Mr. Bustamante includes the transfer of some $2 BILLION of mandated socialized medicine costs to small businesses as a 'savings' for the state.

"As for my three simple questions that I asked of Cruz this week, it is obvious that he will not join with me in abolishing the car tax, since he is only willing to return about half of what Gray Davis illegally took from motorists. There was nothing tough on energy—as he said nothing about the $42 billion of overpriced power contracts.

"Finally, there was certainly nothing tough on the applicant attorneys and special interests since he did not mention the third major crisis of the Davis administration. My plan to replace California’s broken Workers’ Comp system with the successful Arizona model would save state and local governments at least $2.5 billion annually.

"It’s time Cruz Bustamante explains why we should vote no on the recall but support him for governor. He can’t have it both ways. If he thinks Davis' dismal record is worth defending, he should make that case. If he really wants to replace him, how would he do things differently?"

[RS]

""You cut expenditures across the board!" And you use the "Line Item Veto" to do so if the legislature fails to do so. "

Nice sounding fluff - but it can't be done that way
The Governor just does not have that kind of micro-management power.

Kind of like those who think it's important that the Gov be anti-abortion when no part of his job can effect that law in any way.

Just wondering why everyone thinks its so important if I live in CA ? Would it make it easier to avoid giving straight and correct answers either way ?

[heleny]

I mentioned things that he will NOT be able to cut, which are some of the biggest money wasters.

Actually, he can cut education if he cuts everything else. Prop 98 mandated school funding be a certain percentage of the budget, so cutting everything else will allow education spending to be cut, too.

CA spends more than most states, per pupil, but a larger pecentage goes to bureacracy that doesn't help students. Davis tried to cut education several years ago, when he was still a "centrist." Spending has since skyrocketted, but quality hasn't improved, so there must be much to reduce, such as the sensitivity training classes.

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

Tom never mentions ANYTHING specific - so how does he even know he can cut 9.5% ( a pretty specific number )

I see your point of contention now. It is a good one. (I was beginning to think you were implying that he said he was cutting the untouchedable ones, although I have heard him say that he plans on cutting education spending by forcing $s to only spent at a local level, and giving Principles more authority over their school. Sorry I can't remember more specifics)

I hate to sound like an apologist, but if you asked him I'm sure he would tell you. I agree that I wish he would put more on the website, like the specifics he does indeed layout on talk radio interviews.

I understand you cynicism about "what" he wants to cut, (look at Ahrnold) don't lose that, but seek out him in interviews listed on the site and the upcoming debates. I think you will find the answers you are looking for there. The guy doesn't duck questions.

[kellynla]

"but it can't be done that way" says who? you? ROFLMAO You have wasted my time with your BS. You have lots of stupid comments and yet when I ask if you if you live, work or pay taxes here you! You dodge the question? And when I ask who your candidate is? You refuse to answer! It seems you demand what you can't produce! And that's answers! GET LOST!

[janetgreen]

I think you know where McClintock stands as far as the illegals are concerned.

Yes, and I respect him for that, and I'm voting for him because of that. Since illegal immigration is one of the biggest problems California faces, I think it's an outrage that ALL of the candidates aren't speaking out about it. They're cowards.

[RS]

"Actually, he can cut education if he cuts everything else. Prop 98 mandated school funding be a certain percentage of the budget, so cutting everything else will allow education spending to be cut, too."

Good Point - I wonder if "suspending mandates" he mentions on his website would be a way around that - but again, the legislature makes the budget and I doubt if there is a line item marked "sensitivity training"

[TERMINATTOR]

Lots of legal imigrants know that, and voted for prop 187.

[janetgreen]

Thanks for that link. I sent it out to several friends.

[risk]

http://www.stanford.edu/~hakuta/lepstats.html
Limited English Proficiency student stats, for example:

"There are currently 1,381,393 LEP students in the California Public schools. This represents an increase of 166,175 (12%) since 1994 and a greater than 300% increase since 1980 (1997 Language Census, California Department of Education)."

[RS]

"You have lots of stupid comments and yet when I ask if you if you live, work or pay taxes here you! You dodge the question? And when I ask who your candidate is? You refuse to answer!"

Why would it matter to you ? Can't the candidate stand up to tough questions no matter where they come from ?

If you like you can give two answers -
One if I live in CA and a different one if I don't.

I hope McClintock dosen't change his answer depending on the audience.

[kellynla]

"Lots of legal imigrants know that, and voted for prop 187"...Of course they did and you and I both know it. You wouldn't believe the "racist remarks" that Bust-a-girdle is making on Hispanic radio and television...with the GOP is against "us" and "our people"...

[jam137]

Just where will his cuts be ?

If you are able to watch these, I would recommend watching Tom McClintock's radio and TV interviews which can be found here.

In particular, I would direct you to Lawrence O'Donnell's show starting at minute 7. There Tom says that there are these types of savings to be had:

1. $9 billion in savings by "shopping around" for the best services through competitive bidding. He gets this number from the Reason Foundation.

2. $6 billion in savings by eliminating overlapping agencies. He gave the two CA tax agencies we have currently as an example.

3. $2.5 billion in direct savings to state and local governments by changing the worker's comp plan.

McClintock also made the point that he is willing to go past the legislature, directly to the people using ballot propositions, if need be. He cited the example of Hiram Johnson as a former CA governor who successfully did the same sort of thing.

Is that sufficient for you for now -- at least until the upcoming debates?

[TERMINATTOR]

You wouldn't believe the number of people on construction sites who think they're in Mexico.

[CyberAnt]

"my guess"

You'll have to do better than guessing what you think Tom will do or will not do.

[RS]

Thanks for a reasonable response - I'll check the shows as time permits and comment later.

[RS]

""my guess"

"You'll have to do better than guessing what you think Tom will do or will not do.""


My complete quote -

That he would be able to line out - my guess is that they are buried in Medical or Education Budgets as line items that he could not simply cross out.

I'm not trying to guess here what he WOULD do, but if he has the capability to do it.
Are you of the mind that he would line out the entire State medical budget to kill free sex change operations ?

[Myrddin]

As a legislator who supposedly cares about the people why has he not been shouting the needed fixes from the rooftops?

McClintock has been addressing these issues since 1999. He is a frequent guest on Roger Hedgecock's show in San Diego. Unfortunately, he has been a voice in the wilderness. The socialist Democrats have held a majority in both houses of the legislature and have been completely unfettered since Red Doofus assumed the office of governor.

[CyberAnt]

I don't know because I have not heard him say what he would do - and I'm not about to second guess him.

So far, what he has said, is very conservative and meets all my standards for support. If Simon drops out - Tom has a great chance to win.

[Myrddin]

You just don't seem to understand that those contracts are NOT part of the State Budget - they are paid by ratepayers.

Those ratepayers include my California based company. The high rates have made the California employees uncompetitive. They are not closing new contracts. That means reduced tax revenues to the state of California. There is no free lunch. The same can be said of the high disability insurance. That figures into the loaded hourly rate for an employee too. Killing business with high electric rates and high disability insurance is a certain way to wipe out tax revenues. The state of Idaho is welcoming the return of Buck Knives from El Cajon, CA back to Post Falls, Idaho. Electricity and disability rates triggered the move.

[Roscoe]

I wonder what Arnold's handlers will tell him to think about Bustamante's plan?