Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger told The Fresno Bee's editorial board that he won't settle for a bad budget and is willing to wait significantly longer for the right deal from the Legislature. He said he would hold his ground until November or even December without a budget, and would even consider "rolling right into" January with the introduction of his next budget.
And you thought that waiting until September to get a budget was revolutionary. Are the Democrats and Republicans ready to play that game of budget chicken? The public, which right now is not all that engaged in the problem, will be screaming if it takes that long to solve the budget crisis.
Schwarzenegger said during the editorial board meeting, which we held with him by video conference, that one thing he won't do is "kick the problem into next year." That means getting a solid budget that has significant reforms in it, including a rainy day fund, he said. The problem is the governor can't get his own party to go along with his budget proposal, and Democrats are resisting any significant spending limitations, which are in his plan.
Schwarzenegger has offered a reasonable budget proposal that includes a temporary sales tax increase and spending cuts to close a $15.2 billion deficit. He said his plan makes sense, and is the right thing for California. It has a 1-cent sales tax increase, but the total sales tax drops by 1.25 cents after three years. He also said the budget "rainy day" fund and an economic stimulus package will make the state much stronger economically. The Republicans should jump at this deal, he said.
The governor complained that the Republicans are throwing away budget reform with their anti-tax mantra. The short-term tax increase will buy them budget reform forever, he said.
Schwarzenegger also told The Bee's editorial board that the Republicans have yet to put up a specific proposal that shows how they will close the budget gap, or how much borrowing they are proposing.
"I have not seen a budget from the Republicans," he said. "Let's see their numbers. Let's see how they are going to make their cuts."
The governor is right about that. It is much easier to complain about the governor's plan than the GOP actually coming up with a budget that borrows from cities and counties and cuts billions in state programs.
Now that's leadership! After being disengaged for five months, flipflopping on taxes two weeks ago, and still being unable to get a single vote of his own party, he wants Armaggedeon.
When "Rome burned while Nero fiddled" they had one lunatic to deal with.
But if we add up all the Schwarzenegger and bond items of this blog, we come
up with an entire state legislature gone crazy. That caboodle wants to be entertained, travel, do grandstanding, do a lot of things but work. They must think being elected is a ticket to a ride in a carnival paid for by the people of California.
This while ours and other businesses are closing down due to no payment from the State until the budget is passed. This "stalemate" will put potentially thousands out of jobs and create more strain on the State for Unemployment Benefits. This craziness has to end!
I think that each day overdue is another notch increase in the Governor's political career dissipation meter.
"I have not seen a budget from the Republicans," he [Gov. Schwarzenegger] said. "Let's see their numbers. Let's see how they are going to make their cuts."
One would think he was speaking of a party different from his own...it say's it all.
No, the fact that the Legislative Republicans haven't submitted a budget proposal says it all. They want drastic cuts and no new taxes (or even closing of tax loopholes), but they're too cowardly to tell us what they want to cut.
I believe that this is just the beginning...and it is about time.
All went so well here, and up jumps the devil with wisdom that is supposed to say it all but it is signifying nothing.
I wonder if there is an official (published) job-description for legislators. Duties; salaries; perks: e.g. how many aids to each legislator to aid them in their non-working? Use of state owned cars and drivers thereof? Salary; per diem, travel allowances? Cost of luxury facilities available free to legislators their staff and kith and kin?
Maybe to start cutting in those [above] areas could bring us closer to an acceptable budget. I may start sounding like the proverbial broken record, but WE THE PEOPLE are not the means to an end WE ARE THE END.
And allowing to be exploited, lied to and hoodwinked by our own lack of participation in this democratic form of government, then we get what we deserve.
Liberty, Justice and the Pursuit of Happiness does not rain down from the polluted sky. It is something we have to work for, while never giving up vigilance. And that is the incontestable truth.