Do you support Gov. Jerry Brown’s budget proposal?
THIS WEEK’S QUESTION:
“Do you support Gov. Jerry Brown’s budget proposal?” Yes: 8 No: 3
? Karen Anderson: “No. Disagree with cuts to welfare-to-work. Do we want recipients back on welfare? The state should not shuffle social services off to cities as council members do not have the background to handle them. We need cuts in public service salaries and pensions. On and on …”
? Dave Appling: “In principle, yes. California’s fiscal crisis can’t possibly be solved by addressing only one side of the ledger. Devolution of power and responsibility to cities and counties is also an excellent plan. But it’s a little early to pass judgment. ‘It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data'” (Sherlock Holmes).
? Bert Berson: “So far he has been posturing. I would like more information before I decide.”
? Chris Bryant: “Yes, in general and most of the specifics. Although the sales tax increase and RDA abolishment may be a bit much and so many ‘temporary’ taxes seem to become permanent.”
? Bob Chidester: “Yes. It’s a start. We could come up with at least 100 other areas to eliminate unnecessary expenditures. Let’s begin by defunding The California Air Resources Board. Killing CARB would save the state close to a billion dollars in salaries, expenses, etc. and generate billions more in taxes, salaries and economic growth by reducing job killing regulations. CARB’s recent idea was to ban black colored cars in California to help reduce ‘global warming.’ Anybody remember the CARB supported MBTE fiasco?”
? David Cohen: “Our political leaders have said for years that we will soon come to the Day of Reckoning and this budget is that day. While the cuts will be painful and hard to replace, this is an important step that must be taken on the road to fiscal stability.”
? Dennis Kennedy: “Yes! However, rather than totally eliminating Redevelopment Agencies, it would be better to negotiate a reduction in the diversion of RDA funds from local governments to the state. Morgan Hill and many cities have benefited greatly from RDAs.”
? Jeff Nunes: “Yes. But I would use the word ‘support’ lightly. It’s good to see that some serious cuts are made by his budget, however, I believe placing the fate of schools on the backs of taxpayers at the ballot box, when as a state we are already overtaxed, is more of a political ploy than leadership. Nevertheless, it does make some needed tough decisions so it is probably a step in the right direction.”
? Lisa Pampuch: “Yes, I support his politically courageous approach of no longer using tricks, smoke and mirrors to ‘fix’ the budget – these tricks have worsened our budget problems and obscured responsibility. I do have concerns about specific proposals in Brown’s budget, but understand that it is impossible to create a proposal that will please everyone.”
? Jeff Smith: “I support the idea of spending cuts, but he’s not cutting nearly enough. Also, I do not support raising taxes – that will only further cripple the economy. The problem is he’s caught between two polar opposites: doing what is right for our state and doing what the unions want – since they got him elected. Eliminating all public employee unions and severely cutting the size and scope of state government would be a good start toward fiscal responsibility.”
? Steve Staloch: “Yes. The resulting pain will be stark and harsh, but this is the type of bold leadership we need if we are ever to put our – short and long term – fiscal house in order.”
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