California voters rejected Propositions 1A-1E yesterday. Voters told Sacramento in no uncertain words it’s time to cut programs, and spend only the money you have. It will be interesting to see if the Democrats in control of both houses of California’s legislature get the message.
Given the economic climate borrowing money—especially given the likely $23 billion budget deficitg@mdash;will be difficult. Still I expect the Democrats to propose a budget that is equal parts budget cuts with equal parts of smoke and mirrors.
Republicans are going to propose a series of bills that would appear on paper to go after the causes of the problems. We’ll have to wait and see if they (a) actually get looked at by the Democrats and (b) if they do what they appear to on paper.
In one piece of good news California’s elected officials will be getting an 18% pay cut next fiscal year. Commissioner Kathy Sands said, “I think they should share in the sacrifices that everyone else has had to encounter.” Hurrah for some common sense.
Unfortunately, common sense hasn’t pervaded everywhere. The Los Angeles Times had a headline this morning, “California voters exercise their power — and that’s the problem.” The analysis piece blames California voters for demanding too much in service while not being willing to vote for tax hikes. Most of the spending increases were thrust upon the state by our liberal legislature, not the voters.
California voters said one thing very clearly yesterday: It’s time for a change. It may be a few months before we know whether our legislature got the message.