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2009-05-20 Economy
California Voters Reject Slate of Budget Propositions
LOS ANGELES - California's voters on Tuesday rejected a complex slate of ballot propositions designed to keep the state from sliding further toward fiscal calamity.

The only measure they approved in a statewide special election was Proposition 1F, which will prohibit raises to lawmakers and other state elected officials during deficit years.

Voters rejected at least four of the five other measures, including Proposition 1A, the centerpiece of efforts by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and other state leaders to fix California's ongoing fiscal problems. It would have created a state spending cap while prolonging temporary tax increases and also strengthened the state's rainy day fund.

"Tonight we have heard from the voters and I respect the will of the people who are frustrated with the dysfunction in our budget system," Schwarzenegger said in a statement late Tuesday.

"Now we must move forward from this point to begin to address our fiscal crisis with constructive solutions."

The failure of the measures means California's budget deficit will grow by nearly $6 billion above the current $15.4 billion deficit, forcing Schwarzenegger to make further cuts to state programs already facing major rollbacks.

"Obviously, it's disappointing," said Democratic Assemblywoman Noreen Evans, chairwoman of the Assembly Budget Committee. "But I think the voters are sending a message that they believe the budget is the job of the governor and Legislature. We probably need to go back and do our job."

Other measures voters rejected would have transferred $460 million over the next two years from mental health programs to help close the state deficit; redirected $1.7 billion from children's programs; and allowed $5 billion in borrowing from lottery revenue.

Proposition 1B, which would have restored more than $9 billion to schools, was trailing in early returns Tuesday but was effectively moot. Proposition 1A's defeat means that the measure cannot be approved even if voters approve it.

The special election ballot also included races for a congressional seat and a state Senate seat, both in Southern California. East of downtown Los Angeles, voters were deciding who would fill the seat vacated by U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, with two Democrats locked in a tight race.

The governor missed Election Day in California but cast a mail-in ballot before leaving for the nation's capital, where he joined a White House announcement on new vehicle fuel-efficiency standards.

The Republican governor spent part of the day talking to members of California's congressional delegation, bracing them for the prospect of additional spending cuts if the propositions failed.

Laying off thousands of state employees, reducing the school year by seven days and cutting health care services for tens of thousands of low-income children are among the options.

California will need a waiver from the federal government allowing it to make some of those cuts without jeopardizing money from the stimulus package.

Despite the doomsday predictions, California voters largely tuned out, illustrated by the trickle at polling places throughout the state. Local election officials projected that about a third of the state's 17.1 million registered voters would cast ballots, roughly half of whom were expected to do so through mail-in ballots.

Sentiment at polling stations throughout the state was a mix of anger toward politicians and resignation that the state would continue to face financial turmoil no matter the outcome of Tuesday's vote.

Schwarzenegger said last week that the state's deficit would be $15.4 billion in the coming fiscal year even if voters approved the propositions. It would grow by nearly $6 billion if they did not.
Posted by GolfBravoUSMC 2009-05-20 02:57|| || Front Page|| [11136 views ]  Top

#1 The ultimate test of the "tea parties". A shot across the bow of the Dems? Of Obama Admin? I hope so.
Posted by Jack is Back!">Jack is Back!  2009-05-20 06:33||   2009-05-20 06:33|| Front Page Top

#2 62%-67% (even higher in San Diego County) voted no on the 1A - 1E tax increases. That's called a "F*ck no!" moment
Posted by Frank G">Frank G  2009-05-20 07:14||   2009-05-20 07:14|| Front Page Top

#3 I corrected the misleading headline

California Voters Reject Slate of Tax Increase Propositions
Posted by Bright Pebbles the pedantic 2009-05-20 07:19||   2009-05-20 07:19|| Front Page Top

#4 Time for parents to pay for their own childrens' education themselves.

Government crèche are expensive and don't do much in the way of teaching.
Posted by Bright Pebbles the pedantic 2009-05-20 07:22||   2009-05-20 07:22|| Front Page Top

#5  We probably need to go back and do our job.

So, ol' Noreen is admitting that she and her fellow political weasels don't do a damn thing to justify their paychecks?
Posted by Cornsilk Blondie 2009-05-20 07:29||   2009-05-20 07:29|| Front Page Top

#6 "Our phony-baloney jobs are on the line!"
Posted by eLarson 2009-05-20 07:38||   2009-05-20 07:38|| Front Page Top

#7 The reckoning is coming and the legisalture is going down. The only measure to pass was the one tha restricted their pay. Also last year we passsed a law to change the gerrymandering way districts are formed. It probably will not give the GOP a majority but it will force the Dems to consider the other side when drafting budgets. In our state they need a 2/3 vote to raise taxes. If that were not so we would have taxes that would make NY blush.
Posted by Cyber Sarge 2009-05-20 08:54||   2009-05-20 08:54|| Front Page Top

#8 Can you hear me now?
Posted by Procopius2k 2009-05-20 09:00||   2009-05-20 09:00|| Front Page Top

#9 Hmmmmm.... California goes Republican?
Posted by Besoeker 2009-05-20 09:05||   2009-05-20 09:05|| Front Page Top

#10 Proponents outspent foes 10 to 1

"Schwarzenegger helped behind the scenes to garner big contributions for the measure's proponents, who raised about $30 million and outspent foes by nearly 10 to 1. Among the big contributors were businesses hoping to avoid tax increases if state finances slumped further: oil companies, tobacco and alcoholic beverage firms, sports teams and Hollywood studios.

Despite a big advantage in cash and manpower, the campaign failed to gain traction from the start. Polls throughout the race showed all the ballot measures -- except Proposition 1F -- losing badly, as voters expressed equal parts confusion over the package and disdain for the Sacramento politicians who crafted it."
Posted by GolfBravoUSMC 2009-05-20 10:18||   2009-05-20 10:18|| Front Page Top

#11 Now they have a real problem. How can they make drastic cuts in vital services (in favor of their pet projects) without pissing off their favorite group - the illegal aliens?
Posted by CrazyFool 2009-05-20 11:15||   2009-05-20 11:15|| Front Page Top

#12 All non Californians should be asking how much is my state going to have to pay to bail these people out? We are having our own problems here in Kansas with the recession hurting the aircraft and pharmacutical businesses. Fortunatly we have agriculture and if the EPA will wait to attack the methane gas, and if commodities stay firm we will be able to at least maintain. That is unless there is a sir charge to help California and New York out of there tax and spend economies.
Posted by bman 2009-05-20 11:36||   2009-05-20 11:36|| Front Page Top

#13 The legislature is going to have to shift its focus to how it will attract business to the state. They have to concentrate on long-term revenue generation combined with spending restraint. A very good first step would be to push, yes push, for offshore oil drilling. It would bring in $billions. (I can dream can't I??)
Posted by remoteman 2009-05-20 12:09||   2009-05-20 12:09|| Front Page Top

#14 Suggestions for cuts for Governor Schwartzeneggar from a California school teacher - - -

"As you listen to the news about the student protests over illegal immigration, there are some things that you should be aware of:

I am in charge of the English-as-a-second-language department at a large southern California high school which is designated a Title 1 school, meaning that its students average lower socioeconomic and income levels.

Most of the schools you are hearing about, South Gate High, Bell Gardens , Huntington Park , etc., where these students are protesting, are also Title 1 schools. Title 1 schools are on the free breakfast and free lunch program. When I say free breakfast, I'm not talking a glass of milk and roll -- but a full breakfast and cereal bar with fruits and juices that would make a Marriott proud. The waste of this food is monumental, with trays and trays of it being dumped in the trash uneaten.
(OUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK )

I estimate that well over 50% of these students are obese or at least moderately overweight. About 75% or more DO have cell phones. The school also provides day care centers for the unwed teenage pregnant girls (some as young as 13) so they can attend class without the inconvenience of having to arrange for babysitters or having family watch their kids. (OUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK)

I was ordered to spend $700,000 on my department or risk losing funding for the upcoming year even though there was little need for anything; my budget was already substantial. I ended up buying new computers for the computer learning center, half of which, one month later, have been carved with graffiti by the appreciative students who obviously feel humbled and grateful to have a free education in America . (OUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK)

I have had to intervene several times for young and substitute teachers whose classes consist of many illegal immigrant students here in the country less then 3 months who raised so much hell with the female teachers, calling them "Putas" whores and throwing things that the teachers were in tears.

Free medical, free education, free food, day care etc., etc., etc. Is it any wonder they feel entitled to not only be in this country but to demand rights, privileges and entitlements ?

To those who want to point out how much these illegal immigrants contribute to our society because they LIKE their gardener and housekeeper and they like to pay less for tomatoes: spend some time in the real world of illegal immigration and see the TRUE costs.

Higher insurance, medical facilities closing, higher medical costs, more crime, lower standards of education in our schools, overcrowding, new diseases etc., etc, etc. For me, I'll pay more for tomatoes.

We need to wake up. The guest worker program will be a disaster because we won't have the guts to enforce it . Does anyone in their right mind really think they will voluntarily leave and return?

It does, however, have everything to do with culture: A third-world culture that does not value education, that accepts children getting pregnant and dropping out of school by 15 an d that refuses to assimilate , and an American culture that has become so weak and worried about " political Correctness" that we don't have the will to do anything about it.

CHEAP LABOR? Isn't that what the whole immigration issue is about? Business doesn't want to pay a decent wage. Consumers don't want expensive produce. Government will tell you Americans don't want the jobs.

But the bottom line is cheap labor. The phrase "cheap labor" is a myth , a farce, and a lie. There is no such thing as "cheap labor."

Take, for example, an illegal alien with a wife and five children. He takes a job for $5.00 or 6.00/hour. At that wage, with six dependents, he pays no income tax, yet at the end of the year, if he files an Income Tax Return, he gets an "earned income credit" of up to $3,200 free. He qualifies for Section 8 housing and subsidized rent. He qualifies for food stamps. He qualifies for free (no deductible, no co-pay) health care. His children get free breakfasts and lunches at school. He requires bilingual teachers and books. He qualifies for relief from high energy bills. If they are, or become, aged, blind or disabled, they qualify for SSI. Once qualified for SSI they can qualify for Medicare . All of this is at (our) taxpayer's expense . He doesn't worry out car insurance, life insurance, or homeowners insurance. Taxpayers provide Spanish language signs, bulletins and printed material. He and his family receive the equivalent of $20.00 to $30.00/hour in benefits. Working Americans are lucky to have $5.00 or $6.00/hour left after paying their bills and his. The American taxpayers also pay for increased crime, graffiti and trash clean-up.

Cheap labor? YEAH RIGHT! Wake up people!

Posted by Lumpy Elmoluck5091 2009-05-20 12:20||   2009-05-20 12:20|| Front Page Top

#15 Cheap Labour IS real. It's the benefits that are the problem.
Posted by Bright Pebbles the pedantic 2009-05-20 12:24||   2009-05-20 12:24|| Front Page Top

#16 Lumpy:

Is that your experience or is there a link?
Posted by GolfBravoUSMC 2009-05-20 12:32||   2009-05-20 12:32|| Front Page Top

#17 Come on Lumpy - don't hold back - tell us how you *really* feel!

Don't forget the increase in crime rates - including robbery, murder, rape, DWI - the whole bit.

These are *not* law abiding people. They have no respect for the laws or the institutions of their host country.

And, just as you say there is no such thing as CHEAP LABOR there is no such thing as ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT - these are *not* immigrants. They are not immigrants legally (they have not be granted 'immigrant' status) and to use the 'immigrant' name is a insult to all the hard working, law abiding, LEGAL immigrants in this country.

They are ILLEGAL ALIENS!

And to welcome them in, grant them entitlements or a pathway to citizenship is to piss in the face of every legal alien who worked their ass off and waited patiently for their turn at the american dream.

NO EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS NO MEDICAL BENEFITS (save for immediate life-saving), NO ANCHOR BABIES NO WELFARE or SSI.

That would go a long way to solve California's budget problems.

(There - I managed to tie this back to the original tread...)
Posted by CrazyFool 2009-05-20 12:35||   2009-05-20 12:35|| Front Page Top

#18 I am curious how much of Cal's budget is contractually obligated or legally (read Federally) mandated. I would not be surprised if their deficit is so big that it even cuts into their obligated expenses. Even if not, they'll be hard-pressed to not totally gut non-required programs. Harbinger of things to come for all of us.
Posted by Glenmore 2009-05-20 12:38||   2009-05-20 12:38|| Front Page Top

#19 We've got a lot of unemployed in California. We've got unions and pensions clogging up the budgets. A brave man might break a union or two to solve both problems at once. Won't happen of course, but the suggestion might get some folks to stop the nonsense.
Posted by rjschwarz 2009-05-20 12:59||   2009-05-20 12:59|| Front Page Top

#20 I am curious how much of Cal's budget is contractually obligated or legally (read Federally) mandated.

The answer is that nearly all of it is on 'autopilot'.
Posted by Iblis 2009-05-20 13:22||   2009-05-20 13:22|| Front Page Top

#21 Get 'em Lumpy!!! Right on!!!

We probably need to go back and do our job.

Gee, ya think?

The only thing I have to add is that Prop 1F didn't go far enough. All of the legislators should be automatically recalled if they fail to agree on a balanced budget by the start of the fiscal year. Get all of them outta here, automatically recalled and ineligible to run for any public office anywhere in the state ever again.
Posted by Ebbang Uluque6305 2009-05-20 14:44||   2009-05-20 14:44|| Front Page Top

#22 One more thing, voters in this state back in the days of Governor Pete Wilson passed Prop 187 which would have stopped the kinds of abuses Lumpy describes so well. But our state supreme court found it unconstitutional and struck it down. By then the governor was Gray Davis, a donk, who refused to contest the matter in any higher court. I can't for the life of me understand what's unconstitutional about withholding taxpayers' money from programs that benefit illegal aliens but that's what they said.

Further, for those of you who fear the rest of the country might get stuck with some of California's bills, keep in mind that a big part of our budget woes are a direct result of spending on illegal aliens. This is a federal problem so, Prop 187 notwithstanding, it's only right that the federal government should help us. I would, of course, be happier if the feds would just secure the border.
Posted by Ebbang Uluque6305 2009-05-20 15:04||   2009-05-20 15:04|| Front Page Top

#23 Hate to say it, but I generally feel more comfortable visiting the south of France than anywhere I've been in California.
Posted by Besoeker 2009-05-20 15:42||   2009-05-20 15:42|| Front Page Top

#24 The reckoning is coming and the legisalture is going down.

Nonsense. The teachers' and prison guards' unions let the trunks have their fun day. But the propositions will be ignored or declared unconstitutional and the legislature will be returned as is in the election that really counts. Governor McClintock? lol.
Posted by Nimble Spemble 2009-05-20 15:49||   2009-05-20 15:49|| Front Page Top

#25 I am curious how much of Cal's budget is contractually obligated or legally (read Federally) mandated.

The answer is that nearly all of it is on 'autopilot'.

Then the only options are:
1) Bankruptcy (but "too big to fail")
2) Federal bailout
3) Court-ordered tax increases
4) Voluntary renegotiation of labor & pension contracts (Hah!)

My bet - a combination of 2 & 3 with some token spending cuts (perhaps 0.05%)
Posted by Glenmore 2009-05-20 15:57||   2009-05-20 15:57|| Front Page Top

#26 Link to article posted by Lumpy
Posted by GolfBravoUSMC 2009-05-20 16:01||   2009-05-20 16:01|| Front Page Top

#27 Snopes take on Lumpy's article
Posted by GolfBravoUSMC 2009-05-20 16:09||   2009-05-20 16:09|| Front Page Top

#28 2) Federal bailout

Do I hear the rustle of 2/3rds of the "smaller" states inching towards a Constitutional Convention.
Posted by Procopius2k 2009-05-20 19:30||   2009-05-20 19:30|| Front Page Top

#29 As far as I'm concerned, P2k, we can gallop to that convention.
Posted by Barbara Skolaut">Barbara Skolaut  2009-05-20 20:30||   2009-05-20 20:30|| Front Page Top

#30 I don't think a CONCON would be a good idea at this time. The Donks and their comrades in ACORN (flush now with $2B+ of our tax dollars) would pull out all the stops to get a chance to rewrite our constitution.

I don't think the results would be pretty.
Posted by CrazyFool 2009-05-20 21:53||   2009-05-20 21:53|| Front Page Top

#31 Okay-y-y, I'll bite, and where do tell does DA ARNUUULD = SACRAMENTO STATE GOVT think it will find the US$460.0MILYUHN = US$9.0BILYUHN, etc. to meet these new obligations???

* MILYUHNS + ZILYUHNS + SHILLYUHNS + .........@!
Posted by JosephMendiola 2009-05-20 22:46||   2009-05-20 22:46|| Front Page Top

#32 Hate to say it, but I generally feel more comfortable visiting the south of France than anywhere I've been in California.

Might be that the French have experience with jackboot-wearers?
Posted by Pappy 2009-05-20 23:07||   2009-05-20 23:07|| Front Page Top

#33 First - Stop coddling and paying for illegals. Deport them and DO NOT LET THEM BACK IN.

Second, Stop spending so damned much. Freeze public pay. And stop the unions from extorting more pay - let them choose cut jobs, or cut pay.

Third sell all those damned golf courses, etc.
Posted by OldSpook 2009-05-20 23:50||   2009-05-20 23:50|| Front Page Top

09:43 Mullah Richard
09:27 Warthog
09:11 Mercutio
09:07 AlmostAnonymous5839
08:52 Matt
08:24 Matt
08:20 SteveS
07:43 Procopius2k
07:42 BrerRabbit
07:42 Procopius2k
07:39 Procopius2k
07:36 Procopius2k
07:35 Procopius2k
07:34 trailing wife
07:31 Procopius2k
07:30 NN2N1
07:22 NN2N1
07:18 trailing wife
07:14 Richard Aubrey
07:10 NN2N1
07:09 Besoeker
07:03 NN2N1
06:58 NN2N1
06:58 Besoeker









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