As expected the Democrat plan for a budget, approved by the Governor, went down to defeat. One Democrat, Correa, refused to vote for it. The Senate plan by the ethically challenged Don Perata was defeated. Why? because it raised taxes on the poor and middle class--and in the long run expanded the base for sales taxes...meaning bigger tax increases automatically, in the future.

In a couple of days we will be in the record books, the longest without a budget.

For Californians, this is a victory. Another day without higher taxes. Another day we can spend more of our money, instead of government.

It was announced this afternoon by Secretary of State Debra Bowen that the deadline has passed for new measures to be put on the November ballot.

That means we will have to hold a special election if the Governor or Democrats want to create new laws on the budget.

Several have asked why the GOP has not presented a budget. The simple reason is that the Governor and the Democrats are committed to tax and spending increases. The GOP is not. So why waste the time in providing a document that will not be passed--that is what Democrats do.

But, some of you want a list of cuts the GOP wants. Senator Jeff Denham the man Don Perata spent millions trying to Recall from office, and failed, due to Denhams' refusal last year to vote for a deficit budget, has a short list.

Feel free to add your cuts to his list. Any expenditures you want to defend?

Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced)
Identifies Idiotic Budget Items in the 'Governor's Compromise Lite'

Senate Democrats dropped a new Conference Committee Budget Compromise on Senate Republican's late yesterday which further increases taxes while cutting education.

The "Governor's Compromise Lite" proposal, which assumes the economy will rebound even in the face of higher taxes, contains the following ridiculous and/or unnecessary General Fund items:


'Smörgåsbord' Board

Nearly $7 million for a "Central Valley Flood Protection Board", which will basically just rename the already existing Reclamation Board and allow the state to take control away from local government

Chic Décor

Nearly $1 million to buy the State Controller some new office furniture while the Controller's office withholds funding for nursing homes, health clinics and other vital services during the budget stalemate

Err A-Parent

Over $1 million for "Male Involvement Program" pamphlets, posters, advertising and events to tell young men what they likely already know; they play a role in teen pregnancy and can prevent it

Railroad Lies

$456,000 in this year's budget and $2.3 million next year to again fund the North Coast Railroad - a "paper railroad" (as veteran political columnist Dan Walters described it) which has already consumed $60 million of state taxpayer money but hasn't run a train since 1992

Convict Crafts

$118,000 to hire two helpers to deliver art, craft and other "hobby" supplies every week to murderers and other vicious convicts on death row

Air Regularity

$910,000 to retrofit some old State Parks and Recreation Department diesel vehicles while the budget proposes to cut programs for the frail, the elderly and the disabled

Coastal De-Commission

Over $10 million to fund "permitting and enforcement activities" of the narrow-minded and power-abusing Coastal Commission, which should be abolished and its duties returned to local government