Posted on 12/09/2002 8:28:45 PM PST by BurbankKarl
GOP lawmakers warned against taxes State chairman says 'yes' vote risks recall
Lynda Gledhill and Greg Lucas, Chronicle Sacramento Bureau Tuesday, December 10, 2002 Sacramento -- Presaging a possible early budget impasse, the chairman of the state Republican Party said Monday that any GOP lawmaker who votes for a tax increase will be subject to an immediate recall campaign.
The threat came as legislators began a special session to deal with the state's budget shortfall and prompted some Democratic lawmakers to start proposing ways to go directly to voters with budget solutions.
Last week, Gov. Gray Davis recommended $10.2 billion in cuts and other savings in an attempt to begin to tackle a budget shortfall that is expected to exceed $21 billion over the next 18 months.
Lawmakers met briefly Monday to open their special session, but said no decisions will be made until after Davis presents his proposed 2003-2004 budget on Jan. 10. Democrats say tax increases need to be considered along with spending cuts.
Shawn Steel, outgoing head of the GOP, said Republicans are more firmly committed to their anti-tax principles now that all of the GOP members who voted for previous Davis budgets are out of office.
"They have been turned out by the Republican Party," he told the Sacramento Press Club.
Steel, who said he will remain active in the party and stay on the state GOP board, said he would personally lead recall campaigns against members who vote to raise taxes.
"This is my pledge. Any Republican member who votes . . . for a tax increase -- this party will start an effort to recall that person, and he or she be out of office in 180 days," he said.
LESS SPENDING VS. MORE TAXES In California, budget-related votes require two-thirds approval, which means Democrats need some GOP members to offer their support.
Republicans have held steadfast in their opposition to tax increases, while Democrats say there is no way to cut the budget enough to make up for the shortfall.
"It is a spending problem," said Sen. Tom McClintock, R-Northridge. "We've had a 22 percent increase in inflation and population combined. We've had 28 percent growth in revenues, which means it's not a revenue problem. We've had a 36 percent increase in spending."
But the Republicans may find themselves under increasing pressure from voters in their districts if the cuts start to affect programs, said UC Berkeley political science Professor Bruce Cain.
"Now Republicans in the Legislature may have to deal with the fact that people in their districts are having their school class size increase or school programs ended, or standing in long DMV lines," he said.
The cuts outlined by Davis would take $3.1 billion out of school spending over 18 months, leading education groups to warn that 35,000 workers, such as nurses or counselors, would have to be laid off.
Also taking a hit would be transportation projects, cost-of-living adjustments for the elderly, state aid for the blind and disabled, and dental care for poor California adults.
GOING TO THE VOTERS Democratic lawmakers said they are beginning to explore other ways of getting tax increases approved.
Senate President Pro Tem John Burton, D-San Francisco, suggested he might propose an initiative to raise taxes, getting the measure on the ballot by gathering signatures.
"This is not a way to run government," he said. "We hope the Republicans will come to their senses, which is something that if the past record is any indication, you've got to bet against."
Assemblyman John Longville, D-Rialto (San Bernardino County), has introduced a constitutional amendment that would end the ability of a handful of GOP lawmakers to block passage of a budget.
Longville's proposal, which would need voter approval, would allow lawmakers to pass a budget and raise taxes if necessary with a majority vote instead of the two-thirds vote now required.
"Reality is that the Legislature does not have the ability to adopt a budget unless the majority is willing to appeal to the most extreme segment of the Republicans," Longville said. "With 120 members, it's still possible for eight legislators to block the budget."
Longville's plan also would cut off lawmakers' pay and their tax-free per diem if they don't pass a budget on time.
Neither Burton's nor Longville's proposal could be voted on until the next general election in 2004, unless Davis calls a special election.
Say What???!!!
You mean California has its OWN Social Security Program?
There are things we can do. We should be doing it!
I gotta see this...........
you're kiddin'??? this has been tried several times. guess who counts the votes? guess how many recall petitions get lost in the mail?
vote with your feet. leave kalifornica....let em drown in debt n mexicans.....
wonder no more...
listen to "quinn n rose" on wrrk radio www.warroom.com
We are?
No, for the past six months Ed has promised that he won't raise taxes, and now that he has been elected in a landslide, he will hold firm on his promise. Ed Rendell is a man of his word.
Unless, of course, you think Ed Rendell is a lying scumbag.
And that's how a democratic system works, Mr. Longville.
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