A Right-Wing Budget for a Blue State?Paul Hogarthbyline‚ Jun. 09‚ 2009As California faces a $24.3 billion deficit, Governor Schwarzenegger and Republicans in the state legislature are pushing exactly what they promised before May 19th – a “cuts-only” budget. Never mind the public wants a more balanced approach to this crisis, and polling data confirms it. Republicans never let the facts get into the way of their opinion. Some targeted tax increases have broad public support, and Democrats should have come swinging in favor of them after Propositions 1A-1E went down in flames. Even if they didn’t have the votes to pass a revenue package in Sacramento, proposing it could have raised public awareness and outrage at the “two-thirds” budget rule – blaming the GOP for ensuing cuts, and helping to pass an amendment in 2010. But in the short term, what can the legislature do to bridge the gap? Republicans may never support any tax increase at all, but scrapping tax loopholes that only benefit corporations must be a prerequisite before any cuts. Releasing non-violent drug offenders would also save the state a ton, and even suspending the death penalty would save $1 billion over five years. Rather than let Arnold pressure them into passing an immediate budget with more cuts, now is time for Democrats to act like they represent a blue state. |