California Budget Gridlock: When are the people going to rise up?
The mess California finds itself in is every Californian's concern. And the answer to get out of this $14 Billion deficit requires regular people to get involved in ways we haven't ever before. In California and only 1 or 2 other States, it requires a 2/3 vote to approve the State budget. That is 67% of the elected officials voting in favor of the budget. We have been without a budget for many, many months and we now risk being bankrupt as a State. The legislature is within 3 votes needed to pass the budget, but Republicans, on ideological grounds, are opposing it. Does this sound familiar?
So what can we do as citizens of the State? Well, first we could all support a budget change to a needed 50% plus one majority to pass the budget. But that law can't get passed because the Republican minority wouldn't vote for it, as their power would be gone because California is predominantly Democratic and a Progressive State.
One thing not explored is what powers Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger really has to end this crisis. He has called a State of Emergency and the Legislature is meeting to try to resolve the problem but no one is budging on their positions and the stalemate continues. Reporters this morning are saying that small groups of non-government people are working behind the scenes to come up with some solutions. This is very good news if true.
But one thing that needs consideration is some local pressure from citizens in the communities where the 3 Republican votes are needed, and those vested interests need to abandon their ideological views for more pragmatic ones. Many people will lose their jobs and people need to care about all Californians plight with this budget mess. I for one, would be willing to pay more California taxes, as most Californians also would. For those Republicans who are tired of paying California taxes, leave the State and go find another home where you can have such a beautiful place to live but don't have to pay taxes. It's called Nevada! But no one really lives there.
So what can we do as citizens of the State? Well, first we could all support a budget change to a needed 50% plus one majority to pass the budget. But that law can't get passed because the Republican minority wouldn't vote for it, as their power would be gone because California is predominantly Democratic and a Progressive State.
One thing not explored is what powers Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger really has to end this crisis. He has called a State of Emergency and the Legislature is meeting to try to resolve the problem but no one is budging on their positions and the stalemate continues. Reporters this morning are saying that small groups of non-government people are working behind the scenes to come up with some solutions. This is very good news if true.
But one thing that needs consideration is some local pressure from citizens in the communities where the 3 Republican votes are needed, and those vested interests need to abandon their ideological views for more pragmatic ones. Many people will lose their jobs and people need to care about all Californians plight with this budget mess. I for one, would be willing to pay more California taxes, as most Californians also would. For those Republicans who are tired of paying California taxes, leave the State and go find another home where you can have such a beautiful place to live but don't have to pay taxes. It's called Nevada! But no one really lives there.
Labels: bankrupt, California, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Republicans, state of emergency
posted by Charles Amico at 8:04 AM
2 Comments:
Are you crazy? You actually advocate higher taxes and think that Californians would WANT to pay them?
California already has some of the highest tax rates in the country.
Remember - government does not create anything. It redistributes.
These bankruptcy problems have occur because the parasitic government is bigger than the host taxpayers.
And you want to drain the taxpayers more?
That's bassackwards.
Terrific Chuckypita. I was trolling for someone and you responded. First thanks for the comment. I appreciated it. So far you are the only one writing against raising taxes. But allowing the Democratic State legislature to pursue current solutions say they think raising taxes is exactly what the voters will support. If every Californian who doesn't want their taxes raised would write to their representatives that they would rather have the spending cuts. then maybe they would cut more spending. So I encourage more people to contact those Democrats in Sacramento to not propose raising taxes and make deeper cuts. We would then have a chance to pass a budget.
Thanks again Chuckypita.
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