FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog

Democratic leaders sent Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger an $18 billion deficit-cutting package on Tuesday, a plan he quickly vetoed as anti-tax groups filed a lawsuit to stop it.

The activity came amid the Legislature’s third special session since the November election to deal with California’s worsening budget deficit, projected at $42 billion over the next 18 months.

With Schwarzenegger’s veto, time is running out for lawmakers to find a midyear fix. The state controller has warned that California will be so short of cash it will have to start issuing IOUs in February to vendors and taxpayers expecting refunds.

Democrats said their plan would have avoided what Schwarzenegger has described as a “financial Armageddon,” but it appeared to be dead even before it arrived on the governor’s desk.

California Legislative Democrats tried an end run around the California Constitution that was amended in 1978 by Proposition 13 that requires any increase in taxes be affirmed by a 2/3rd’s vote of the Legislature.

If the Governor were to have a change of heart and approve such an outrageous scheme, the California Supreme Court would quickly issue an injunction and/or a referendum petition would be quickly filed by California voters.

Looks like the California Legislature better get busy and cut spending.

First, it was Hot Rod Blagojevich and his corrupt appointment of Roland Burris to Obama’s U.S. Senate seat along with the interference by Democrat Senate Majority Leader Harry  Reid and Obama Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.

Second, the NEPOTISM of a possible Caroline Kennedy appointment to Hillary Clinton’s U.S. Senate Seat.

Third, the apparent win of Al Franken, who is an incompetent a pol as Jesse Ventura and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

And, now, there is the withdrawal of New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson from his Obama appointment to become Secretary of Commerce because of corruption charges.

But, what do you expect from a MSM who did not properly VETT the Democrat Party or Obama during the last election cycle.

Chickens coming home to roost, indeed.

With their registrations sinking and their political clout withering, California Republicans have come out of the November election in danger of slipping into political irrelevance across much of the state.

“There’s been a broad repudiation of traditional conservative Republicans in California,” said Tony Quinn, a former GOP analyst and co-editor of the California Target Book, which focuses on political contests in the state. “There are almost no areas in the state that can be considered safely Republican anymore.”

But, Quinn does NOT mention Proposition 11 that barely passed and the changes the heavily Democrat gerrymandered districts. But, Flap digresses.

The GOP brand has been hurt by President Bush and the corrupt GOP establishment in Congress, no doubt.

But, there are opportunities and although down and out now, the upside is good for the GOP - but maybe not majority but relevant.

Here are the stats:

October 2004

• Total registered voters: 16.5 million
• Registered Democrats: 7.1 million (43 percent)
• Registered Republicans: 5.7 million (34.7 percent)
• Registration gap: Democrats ahead by 1.4 million

October 2008

• Total registered voters: 17.3 million
• Registered Democrats: 7.7 million (44 percent)
• Registered Republicans: 5.4 million (31.3 percent)
• Registration gap: Democrats ahead by 2.3 million

Counties that changed to majority Democrats since 2004

• Alpine
• San Bernardino
• San Joaquin
• Stanislaus
• Ventura

Counties nearing majority Democrats since 2004

• Del Norte (8 voters)
• San Diego (380 voters)
• Trinity (40 voters)

Source: California secretary of state

The rebuilding will begin by the end of the decade with new legislative districts and term limits throwing out the incumbent Democrats.

Flap doubts California voters will change the 2/3′rds vote requirement for passing the state budget or to raise taxes. But, do the Democrats really want to push the issue?

Voters now blame Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for the economic mess which he was first elected to fix when he was elected six years ago. If the Democrats in the legislature want accountablility Flap is positive the GOP will be glad to oblige.

Watch for new registration initiatives as well for the California GOP beginning by next summer.

Stay tuned…..

California is on track to run out of cash in February or March and faces a $15 billion cash shortage by the end of its fiscal year in June unless officials plug an $11.2 billion budget gap, according to the state’s budget director.

Additionally, if Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and lawmakers fail to close the current fiscal year’s budget shortfall soon, California, the most populous U.S. state, may in March delay payments to its vendors or hand them notes promising payment, according to a Dec. 1 letter to top lawmakers from the director of the Department of Finance, Michael Genest.

The Democrats in the California Legislature refuse to cut spending and the Republicans refuse ANY tax increases. Governor Arnold proposes some spending cuts, a sales tax increase and perhaps a motor vehicle registation fee hike.

Stalemate.

When will there be a deal?

Flap bets when the state runs out of money and government offices are forced to close - but not before.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called today for a temporary 1.5-cent increase in the state sales tax to help close an $11.2 billion deficit in the state budget, as well as new taxes on liquor and oil production.

Schwarzenegger also proposed one-day-a-month unpaid furloughs for state workers for the next 17 months, as well as rescinding two of the workers’ 13 paid holidays

In calling the Legislature into special session to deal with the deficit, Schwarzenegger said it was vital for legislators to act swiftly.

Flap has been harping on Schwarzenegger for years to cut the bloated California budget and time after time shortfalls come home to roost.

Other elements of the Governor’s plan:

• Cutting spending on programs in the current budget by $4.5 billion, $2.5 billion of it from elementary and high schools.

• Revamping the state’s cash-strapped unemployment insurance system by gradually increasing the rates charged to employers and lowering benefits while tightening eligibility requirements.

• Relaxing some state labor regulations dealing with meal and rest periods, overtime exemptions and work schedules.

• Speeding up public works projects, especially hospital construction, to inject life into the state economy. That would require modifying some environmental regulations.

The California GOP must resist all tax increases and force the Democrats to cut the budget and take responsibility for their profligate spending habits.

Think it will happen?

Nahhhh some spineless GOP legislator will sell out the Republican Caucus and Flap will be paying more and more in taxes.

Won’t help the very poor California economy much.