• California Budget,  Steve Poizner

    California GOP Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner – Scrap Big Five California Budget Deal – No Tax Increases for California

    Poizner-Countdown

    Steve Poizner, Republican California Insurance Commissioner and candidate for California Governor has come out against the Big 5 California Budget deal.

    State Insurance Commission and Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Poizner called on lawmakers today to put the brakes on a contentious, 18-month budget deal and instead pass an emergency, six-month package to keep California from insolvency.

    With lawmakers one vote shy of a deal to close a $40 billion hole in the state budget, Poizner said all sides should back away from the plan in order to avoid tax increases he charged would disproportionately affect middle- and low-income Californians.

    Roughly $10 billion of the $14 billion in taxes would come from hiking taxes on gas, income and vehicles.

    “They don’t have the guts to raise taxes on rich people because rich people have lobbyists and rich people are mobile and rich people will leave,” Poizner said in a meeting today with The Bee Capitol Bureau. “And yet they’re raising taxes on people who aren’t mobile, who don’t have lobbyists. This is really the most disgusting, terrible thing I’ve heard in a long time – the idea of raising $14 billion of taxes on working class people who are about to lose their homes.”

    Poizner said lawmakers should cut a six-month budget deal that would include $15.8 billion in state spending cuts and $10.9 billion in borrowing – figures already negotiated by lawmakers – and up to $10 billion in state aid from the federal economic stimulus package approved by Congress.

    Afterward, Poizner said lawmakers should develop a budget for the following 12 months that would streamline state government and balance the books without raising taxes.

    Steve Poizner is moving to the RIGHT on fiscal policy and is positioning himself well in the race for the GOP nomination for Governor against former e-Bay CEO Meg Whitman. Poizner has garned most of the endorsements of the GOP members of the California Legislature.

    Now, will Poizner be able to persuade anti-tax crusaders and Los Angeles radio (KFI 640) shock jocks John and Ken to support him?

    Stay tuned as the California State Budget Stalemate continues.


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  • Abel Maldonado,  Arnold Schwarzenegger,  California Budget

    Will GOP Senator Abel Maldonado Break the California Budget Stalemate and Sell Out California Taxpayers?

    abel maldonado

    State Senator Abel Maldonado, R-Santa Maria, gestures while calling for more reforms on the state budget plan before the Legislature, at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Feb. 16, 2009. Maldonado has been pressured to vote for the spending plan, hammered out between Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders

    This is the question as the California State Senate is set to reconvene at 10 AM in Sacramento.

    So, what does Senator Maldonado, the reputed stalemate breaking vote really want?

    On Monday, Maldonado said he would “take a look at” voting for the budget package if it included financial penalties for future legislators who fail to pass state budgets on time or drive the state into deficit. And Maldonado, who lost a 2006 bid for state controller to a more conservative challenger, said he wants future California primary elections to be “open,” allowing voters to cross party lines to cast a ballot.

    Though widely believed to want to run again for statewide office, Maldonado said in an interview: “An open primary is for the people of California, it’s not for me. I don’t want anything in this budget that’s for me. I’m not for sale.”

    Yet, Senator Maldonado has made it clear over the weekend what is on his WISH LIST.

    The Santa Maria Republican told reporters Monday outside his office that his list of demands includes four things. He wants an open primary system similar to those used by local governments in which the top two vote-getters regardless of party run in the general election. The system is said to favor moderate candidates, such as himself, rather than encourage primary hopefuls to woo voters at their party’s extremes. He acknowledged he plans to run for statewide office, but sold the open primary as more of a “good government reform.”

    The open primary change would have to be approved by voters. Maldonado did not specify when he wanted it, but sources said he has asked that it be included on the May special election ballot before Maldonado attempts to run for statewide office next year.

    Maldonado wants two items sure to be unpopular with his colleagues. He wants a law passed so the state would stop paying lawmakers if they do not approve the budget on time. He also wants a ban on legislative pay raises and per diem increases in years when California faces a budget deficit. An independent board, the California Citizens Compensation Commission, currently sets legislative pay.

    And he threw in one last item: remove the pork spending from the budget package. He didn’t specify what qualified as pork, but leaders already have provided small sweeteners for various members to help win their support, such as $35 million annually for Orange County, where Sen. Lou Correa lives. Maldonado also wants to block state Controller John Chiang from spending $1 million on new office furniture, something Chiang’s office said was approved before Chiang was elected.

    Maldonado sounded amenable to only getting part of his wish list, however. “I think government reform is a priority. It could be one, it could be two, at the end of the day, I want government to be reformed.”

    It is obvious that the Senator wishes to run for California statewide office and wants his vote breaking the California State Budget Stalemate as a quid pro quo to help facilitate that result. However, what Maldonado does not understand is that by selling out California taxpayers, he will incur their wrath both Republican and Democrat.

    The Democrat Leaders and Governor Schswarzenegger have played him the perfect fool. They will blame him as to holding up the proceedings and anything untoward as a result of the passage of the budget they will blame Abel.

    So, rather than being an anti-tax hero in the GOP, Maldonado will be played a patsy by the Democrats and end his political career.

    Not a smart move, Senator. Not for yourself or the California taxpayers.

    In the meantime, California taxpayers can help persuade Senator Maldonado to not support the Big 5 budget deal with its concomitant tax increases. Here is his contact information:

    Capitol Office

    State Capitol, Room 4082
    Sacramento, CA 95814
    Phone: (916) 651-4015
    Fax: (916) 445-8081
       
    San Jose Office

    100 Paseo de San Antonio, #206
    San Jose, CA 95113
    Phone: (408) 277-9461
    Fax: (408) 277-9464

    Monterey Office

    590 Calle Principal
    Monterey, CA 93940
    Phone: (831) 657-6315
    Fax: (831) 657-6320
       
    San Luis Obispo Office

    1356 Marsh Street
    San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
    Phone: (805) 549-3784
    Fax: (805) 549-3779


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  • Abel Maldonado,  Arnold Schwarzenegger,  California Budget,  Darrell Steinberg

    Shocker: California on the BRINK of Financial Collapse? Governor Schwarzenegger Ready to Send 20,000 Layoff Notices

    Ca-on-the-brink

    California on the Brink screams the Drudge LEDE.

    Shocking?

    No, because California has been in financial trouble for some time now and RINO GOP Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is the main cause for his inability to lead and govern the Golden State.

    So, where does California stand and what is the urgency?

    Lawmakers adjourned tonight until Tuesday after failing for the third consecutive day to muster an elusive final vote for the state budget package.

    The move came after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said he would send 20,000 layoff notices on Tuesday and other administration officials warned of construction stoppages if the $40 billion budget shortfall and the associated cash crunch are not resolved.

    Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, said the Senate would consider the critical tax increase bill on Tuesday morning, whether or not a third Republican senator comes forward to provide the deciding vote. He said the house would stay in session until the package was approved.

    “Bring a toothbrush, bring whatever necessities you need to bring,” Steinberg told senators as the house shut down for the evening.

    The tentative deal would bridge an estimated $40 billion budget gap through a massive mix of program cuts, borrowing and new revenues, including vehicle license fee increases and higher gasoline, sales and personal income taxes.

    Key elements require passage by a two-thirds majority of the Senate and Assembly – thus three GOP votes in each house.

    The California State Senate will reconvene at 10 AM this morning and the tax bill will be taken up. Should the Big 5 Legislative Leaders not be able to persuade one GOP California State Senator to flip their vote for the California State Budget with tax increases, the stalemate will continue.

    And, according to Democrat Senate Leader Steinberg, the Senators will be locked in the State Senate chamber until there is a resolution.

    Here are the details of the Big Five crafted plan.

    Revenue

    The plan would raise up to $14.4 billion through June 2010 by imposing a variety of temporary taxes. The higher taxes would be in effect for two years. However, Republicans would allow taxes to remain longer – two more years – if voters approve a state spending cap during a special election in May.

    Here are the specific taxes:

    • Increases the state sales tax by 1 cent on the dollar, generating $5.8 billion through the next fiscal year.
    • Raises the fee for licensing vehicles to 1.15 percent of market value, up from the current .65 percent. The move is projected to generate $1.5 billion. A portion of the fee will be dedicated to local law enforcement.
    • Adds a 12-cent gasoline tax, raising $2 billion.
    • Imposes a one-time, 5 percent surcharge on people who owe personal income tax at the end of 2009 to generate $3.2 billion. If the state receives more than expected from the federal government, the surcharge would be reduced to 2.5 percent.
    • Reduces the amount taxpayers can claim on a dependent care credit to the federal level of $100 instead of $300, adding $1.4 billion.
    • Redirects $201.6 million of tribal gambling revenue from the state Department of Transportation to the general fund over the two-year period. The money is intended to offset the effects of increased traffic around Indian casinos.

    The GOP Senate Caucus does not support the above tax increases and insist that more cuts in state government spending be made.

    Stay tuned as the California State Budget Stalemate continues.

    Flap will be live microblogging the California State Senate Session on Twitter (in the right sidebar) ——>


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  • Barack Obama,  Day By Day

    Day By Day by Chris Muir February 17, 2009 – President Burgundy

    Day By Day 021709

    Day By Day by Chris Muir

    Why shouldn’t President Obama have a video feed in his televised news conference teleprompter? After all, it is Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and the FAR LEFT that are pulling his strings anyway.

    Right?

    “The One” needs to communicate with his handlers and told what to say to stay on message. Obama has proven to be a good speech deliverer but on policy/governance – well, not so much.

    Previous:

    The Day By Day Archive


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  • Del.icio.us Links

    links for 2009-02-17

    • The first GOP leadership challenge resulting from the budget negotiations came and went Saturday night as Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, R-Irvine, moved unsuccessfully to unseat Assembly GOP leader Mike Villines.

      In a closed-door Republican caucus before the marathon floor session, DeVore made a motion to remove Villines as GOP leader (known as "vacating the chair" in Capitol-speak). None of the other 28 Republican Assembly members seconded the motion.

      "The discussion was a credit to the caucus. Nobody raised their voice, everything was logical, people made their case and I lost," said DeVore, who is plotting a 2010 run for U.S. Senate.

    • With budget negotiations still hung up in the Senate, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger plans to send 20,000 layoff warnings to state workers Tuesday morning.

      Schwarzenegger will instruct his Department of Personnel Administration to give agencies lists of people affected — those with the least seniority among the approximately 100,000 state workers employed at General Fund units.

      "In the absence of a budget, the governor has the responsibility to realize savings any way he can," said Schwarzenegger spokesman Aaron McLear.

      Bargaining units represented by Service Employees International Union Local 1000 will be protected from layoffs under terms of a tentative agreement reached early Saturday. The layoff warning notices will specify that SEIU members will receive special protection, according to state Department of Personnel Administration spokeswoman Lynelle Jolley. Other General Fund employees whose bargaining units lack contracts will be at risk, however.

    • Sen. Abel Maldonado has become a popular guy around the Capitol as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders on Monday continued to court him as the potential 27th Senate vote for the state budget. Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg met with Maldonado once this afternoon to discuss his interest in providing the final vote.

      The Santa Maria Republican told reporters Monday outside his office that his list of demands includes four things. He wants an open primary system similar to those used by local governments in which the top two vote-getters regardless of party run in the general election. The system is said to favor moderate candidates, such as himself, rather than encourage primary hopefuls to woo voters at their party's extremes. He acknowledged he plans to run for statewide office, but sold the open primary as more of a "good government reform."

    • California's $40 billion-plus budget fix stalled in the state Senate early Sunday morning, as both houses of the Legislature were locked down until sunrise.

      Here's a tick-tock on the highlights — many on video — of the night's events.

    • Karl Rove, post-White House, turns out to be a game, early technological adapter, and has a lively Twitter account.

      He's also been posting candid snapshots to TwitPic, Twitter's photo site, and getting a remarkable stream of abuse in the comments section for himself and his subjects, in this case Weekly Standard's Fred Barnes.
      ++++++
      Standard treatment from the NUTROOTS.

    • In a new Rasmussen poll, 38 percent of respondents said "the government should require all radio stations to offer equal amounts of conservative and liberal political commentary," a nine percent drop from August. Forty-seven percent oppose such government requirements, and 15 percent are unsure.
      ++++++
      If the Dems and Obama try to ram this through it will be a rallying point for a GOP resergence in 2010.
    • Abel Maldonado, a moderate Republican lawmaker known for his quiet demeanor, took his seat in the chamber of the California Senate late Saturday, threatening to oppose the tax increases pushed by Democrats to solve the state's $40 billion budget deficit.

      But hours later, after a colleague suddenly backed out of the tax vote, Maldonado, who represents a gerrymandered district stretching from Saratoga to Santa Maria, was unexpectedly thrust into the uncomfortable position of being the state's best hope at keeping cash-starved California from falling over a fiscal cliff.
      +++++++
      Maldo knows if he flips to the Dems and Arnold his career as a Republican is over.

    • From Sacramento — The math seems pretty simple. But apparently it's too rigorous for many Republican politicians.

      To avoid raising taxes and still balance the books in Sacramento, you'd have to virtually shut down state government.
      Some politicians are in denial. Some are demagoguing. Some are just ducking. Scared.

      The scared are rather pathetic. Here are elected officeholders who represent 475,000 people in an average Assembly district — 950,000 in a Senate district — and they cower before conservative bloggers, radio talk entertainers and activists of a declining party.
      ++++++
      Well, the GOP Pols so far do not cater to a LEFT-Wing loon like you Skelton. You are the on who is pathetic, sir.

    • Senior FCC staff working for acting Federal Communications Commissioner Michael Copps held meetings last week with policy and legislative advisers to House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman to discuss ways the committee can create openings for the FCC to put in place a form of the "Fairness Doctrine" without actually calling it such.

      Waxman is also interested, say sources, in looking at how the Internet is being used for content and free speech purposes. "It's all about diversity in media," says a House Energy staffer, familiar with the meetings.

    • Here we go folks.

      The Fairness Doctrine is going to make a comeback under the Obama administration. It just won’t be via Congress and it won’t be called the “Fairness Doctrine.” It’ll come via the FCC, involve restrictions on media ownership and content, and it’ll apply to the internet too.
      ++++++++
      There will be some real Constitutional issues here on free speech.