A two-thirds vote is required to pass a budget, and in both the original budget negotiations and in the attempt to revise the budget no political party by itself had enough votes to pass a budget. The majority Democrats fought to minimize cuts to programs, while most of the minority Republicans refused to accept any tax increase. The original budget was put together by Democrats and some Republicans using spending cuts, internal borrowing, and accounting maneuvers.

The Obama administration is threatening to rescind billions of dollars in federal stimulus money if Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and state lawmakers do not restore wage cuts to unionized home healthcare workers approved in February as part of the budget. The influential Service Employees International Union (with connections to Acorn) appears to be pulling Obama's strings again. http://pfx.me/lw

A word of caution, John. George W. Bush now lives in Texas. Look what he did to the country. What do you think he can do to Texas? Hold on to a return ticket to CA. You might need it someday.

Best wishes.

Republican-Democrat; they are all the same. Sure Bush drove the national economy into the ditch-it was his “watch” so he is responsible. However, California is controlled mainly by democrats-so you cannot blame the republicans on this one! Several of President Obomas picks for jobs have had to decline because they failed to pay their taxes. Yet, we all remember those republicans who were slithering around public bathrooms looking for sex, and sending nasty messages to under age workers in Washington DC. So, either way you look at it they are all a bunch of crooks and scumbags. When I see the word “incumbent” I vote for somebody other than the incumbents. Term limits are a joke- just look at the last LA City election- they just change offices’ that’s all! Same losers-different jobs!
Both Los Angeles and California are expected to have deficits for the next two years. Both Parties are to blame in my books! We have a soaring jobless rate, and we are ground zero for the mortgage melt down. Nobody in SACRAMENTO can say when the tax refunds will go out; yet they raised our sales tax, DMV fees, and state income tax.
I was channel surfing one day and caught Jerry Springer. He had his usual cast of freaks on and they were talking about some weird situation this guy had got himself into. When this strange person was asked, “where do you think you can live like this?” The guy said, “CALIFORNIA! I am going to move to Los Angeles”. The funny thing was, this looser had no job, no income at all- he was broke-he could not afford to live in this state! Yet, he is going to move to LA. I thought to myself- wonderful! He will fit right in! Another good reason to leave this miserable state!
I was born and raised in CALIFORNIA, I am now retired, 47 years old, and not feeling the effects of this economy. In 4 weeks, my family and I are fleeing this miserable state to Texas. Texas is only one of 6 Solvent states in the USA right now! The reason I am leaving is simple- PALM TREES AND SUNSHINE are not worth what we have to pay to live in LA or Calif! So, to quote Davy Crocket, “to hell with you, I am going to Texas!”

At this time in our economy, we DO NOT need to have our taxes raised..

Why hasn't anyone (in Congress) stood up for CUTS on special interests & some social services (i.e. WELFARE)?!..

It really bugs me when one of our representatives tries to justify giving more to those on welfare by saying they are more likely to spend 'quicker' and put more money into our economy to get things rolling.. WTF?!.. Seriously?!..

I work with many people who are getting WELFARE because they know how to 'cheat' the system & somehow feel they are 'owed' this.. One of my co-workers received over $7K in her tax return a little over a month ago & had the nerve to 'cry' to our manager that she didn't have any money left to feed her kids..

I'm sorry, WHAT?!.. She makes decent money (I'm assuming) & has a husband (albeit ILLEGAL) who works, too ('under the table', of course).. which qualifies her to get TAXPAYER aid (i.e. WELFARE) & she has the nerve to say she's already broke?!..

It's wrong to think that these welfare recipients will help stimulate our economy when all they're looking for is getting the easy buck..

Why are they (government) even 'threatening' to take from our children's education?!.. It's almost as if they are making it harder to get higher education -> or at least easier to say, I can't afford it.. It's easier to sit on my @$$ all day & collect welfare..

I'm just so angry at how our country is being run that I'm thinking what I'm trying to say isn't coming out right..

Bottom line.. Cut many social services (i.e. welfare) to force these people into the workforce & Tax the elite.. They still show that they can afford their lavish lifestyles..

The massive tax increase has been passed. The republican leaders may have signed a pledge but when push comes to shove some cannot handle the pressure.

If you want to know what your tax burden will be the Sacramento Bee has a tax calculator on their website.

The thing that really hurts about the "temporary" tax increase is this, what are we getting for our sacrifice? No improvements, this only keeps us alive for now. How will our state deal with this when the "temporary" time period expires?

“Teachers, We Need You!”

Life as a teacher in 2009
What can I say but it’s not so fine.
People think that our jobs are secure
But what they don’t know is that districts aren’t sure.

We’ve received layoff notices that say “you’re a maybe.”
Nothing left to do but hope that this can’t be.
It can’t mean that we’ve chosen to leave our children further behind
Are we are sick, ignorant, confused, or just plain and simply out of our mind

“Not enough time, no books, no sports, no resources for you.”
This is what your child will be told; you think this too can’t be true.

This is a sad state of affairs in education that is killing us in silence.
We’ve chosen the easy way out now, but will this result in future violence?

Unfair and hopeless are the words that come to mind.
Children are our most valuable assets and deserve an opportunity that’s one of a kind.
Support your child and the future they hope to bring.
Teachers are needed, hear that school bell ring!

*This poem is dedicated to all the teachers who have spent years tending to the young. We hope that the children have been inspired and educated so that they will be a smarter group of citizens than those that raised them.

Beware, the Apocalypse is upon us in California!
First it was the housing and financial debacle that led to huge layoffs and unemployment, now our lawmakers are seeking to finish us off in the middle class with this budget! The Genocide of the middle class is about complete now! Gee Sacramento, why not just herd us "middle class taxpayers into gas chambers and light a match like the Nazis did in the 30's and 40's? It'll be a quicker death and just as effective for what you want? Elimination of the middle class? Just a rich and poor class like the old feudal system of the middle ages, but instead of Kings and Queens and a monarchy-today it will be replaced by a few corporations and their CEO's pulling the strings of the lawmakers in a Corporate type theocracy where Money is god but the poor will work as virtual slaves to the CEO's and live in their slum housing facilities and work for pennies a day!!

Ok Sean I see your point and I appologize. My last comment was unneccessary. I am sorry, I agree. I am home right now because I recently gave birth to my son. I have to say I worry about his future more and more every day.

I am so tired of the finger pointing. I did NOT vote for the "governator" and I DID vote for Obama. My beliefs are somewhere in the middle of the two parties and I do not side with either in their entirety. I simply do not feel NOW is the time to raise taxes. Create tax revenue with jobs! Raise taxes on luxury items that no one truly needs (let the "elitist" people who can afford it- help pay for it). Balance the budget with steeper cuts. Those are my beliefs.

This thread is about standing up for what you preach. Bush Sr. did not and he did not get re-elected. I do not fault the California Republicans for standing by their beliefs and those of the people who voted for them.

I am a Democrat, have been now for 20 years, and I firmly believe that one of the solutions to our states financial crisis is simple (well not really)
CUT CUT CUT...
1) Cut assistance to ALL ILLEGAL persons here in California.
2) Cut the excessive pay our states leaders recieve
3) Cut or reduce the bonus amount for the for-mentioned
4) Cut spenting on non-essentioal project throughout the state
5) Offer smaller tax breaks to the film industry (whats left of it)
6) GIVE FRANK BUCKLEY A RAISE! (not sure what that will do for California but he deserves it)
note: these items appear in no order of importance

Gigi, you know if you weren't so rude and obnoxious in your blogging, you might have some good points.
One thing though that just drives me crazy is when someone tries to belittle someone, and tries to make themselves look intelligent....and then they always manage to blow it by writing the word; "alot".
There is NO such word in the English language my dear! It's two words; "a lot".
Then in closing your sarcastic and unnecessary line; "Tell ya what, Jason...when my husband loses his job and we end up homeless, I'll file for foodstamps and carve your name in the sand."

I'm sorry but that kind of negates eveything you've tried to point out about wreckless spending and such. You kind of take away from the Republican's theory of Socialism by stating of going for food stamps and such. You could have made your point without being simply nasty! You should think more about carving the names of your Republican co-horts who don't want to help anyone that isn't with them, and some of the time, they don't even want to help those that are with them out.
If your husband loses his job, then according to your theory it's because of basically LIVING BEYOND YOUR MEANS! Don't you have a job? Can't your husband flip burgers if need be? Why are you so quick to sign up for food stamps? It just seems you want to yell to hear yourself yell. I understand that - if I were of the party that really got us into this mess, I would want to blame the opposition and yell too!

Gigi you have got to be the most delusional person I have ever seen. Republicans care about the elite, the wealthy, the WHITE and that's it. Plain and Simple. You couldn't be more wrong in your statements. The only reason the Republicans voted against the budget is because they can't come up with anything better to bring forth and if they vote for the budget they won't win election. How the Hell is that worrying about the public - plain and simple IT ISN'T.
You can go on believing what you want....but, your Savior of a Republican Governator that came in is the one who has MADE CALIFORNIA WORST than under Gray Davis. You voted for Arnie....so LIVE WITH IT.
Give me a freakin' break though when you try to make the Elitist Party of Racist Bigots out to be the ones who are "For the People" - You couldn't be further from the truth!

Jason you are ignorant. It doesn't matter which party holds office, California's mess (which has become a global mess) began with the housing crisis. The state deficit is from too much spending and not enough tax revenue. Try spending more than you make- what do you get? Republicans believe in less government- therefore less spending and less taxes. To vote for taxes is against their core beliefs and the beliefs of those who voted for them. There are other ways to generate revenue and save money. Republicans believe people work hard for their money and they should keep it. They believe people are smarter with their money than Congress. Democrats believe people are careless and Congress can spend their money better. Democrats believe everyone should have the same opportunities regardless of how hard they work. I believe the answer lies somewhere in the middle. The reality is the housing crisis began with lenders making ridiculus loans to people HERE in California- people who couldn't truly afford the homes they were buying and didn't need to prove it. It has now spread to people who have done nothing wrong but are caught up in the mess- people who have lost their lifetime careers as layoffs mount. Financial deregulation began with Clinton and was exacerbated by Bush- so you can thank BOTH parties. California and local governments are losing millions of dollars due to foreclosures (taxes not being paid or a decline in property tax due to decline in real property values) coupled with nearly 10% unemployment (unemployment is taxed at the Federal level but not at the state level), decline in sales tax revenue because people are not buying and declining incomes. Look at all the mortgage brokers, realtors, title companies, construction workers, appraisal companies etc. that have had massive layoffs. These are the same people that were swimming in the dough a few years ago (and thus paying high taxes). Those that have survived are making a tiny fraction of what they were making during the housing boom. Less income = less tax revenue. Congress can spend spend spend but what happens when unemployment is 15% 20%? This budget is probably already obsolete. We need decent paying jobs not more taxes. The beaches and climate are nice here but people realize, with lower incomes, they can make the same amount of money and live in a nicer house in a safer neighborhood in a different state for alot less than California. Thus, people are moving away. The California dream is apparantly only possible with a tax burdened society. Tell ya what, Jason...when my husband loses his job and we end up homeless, I'll file for foodstamps and carve your name in the sand.

Okay when aren't we ever in the hole? But placing blame on one party or another is not going to get anything fixed. What NEEDS to happen is that those who are in charge of OUR money, future ect.... NEEDS to take a huge paycut, quit spending OUR money on useless things that do not work, Why do we allow our congress people, senators, take so much for granted? We put them into office, It was a service that should not have 6 figure paycheck , have perks like drivers, All of this spending is a waste of our money. Cutting the school funding is taking away from our kids, with out an education you can not go anywhere, Our children are the ones who is going to suffer. ALL those who are on welfare for years and years, re-educate them and get them into another vocation and get them off the welfare, there is no reason that we have poeple on welfare for years. Come on people I can think of ways to save our budget, and raising taxes are not the answer!

Cindy, you can stick up for George Bush all you want. The truth of reality is all of this happened under his watch as COMMANDER IN CHIEF! He took us to war that has cost a Trillion dollars, he's the one who stood up there and told America our economy was just fine. He is the one ultimately responsible for this entire country going into the toilet financially. It then trickles down to each State. There's only so much people can do to save this country and this state!
California voted to throw Gray Davis out of office, and our deficit wasn't nearly as bad as Arnold the Governator has made it to be. Another Republican. The Democrats are trying their damndest to save this State and the Republicans are more worried about being re-elected, as usual, than they are about getting action and getting this economy saved...no matter what needs to be done to do it.
Since you don't want to blame Bush and want to blame us Democrats....why aren't you giving your suggestions on how to make it better. Why are you being a typical Republican in laying blame and can't come up with one, not one, suggestion on how to save this great State? You Right Wing Fundamentalist are so good in sitting in your big comfy chairs, remotes in one hand, and a beer in the other and slamming the only party that seems to be working in Sacramento!
Heck of a job Cindy!!

Gordon Turner and African American candidate for Mayor is on GDLA right at this very moment. So there are many candidates running for Mayor it appears.

George Bush is not to blame for californias problems! Point the fingure at the Dems and all the other lawmakers incharge

Jozie said:

I like Rick Caruso, especially because he's endorsed by Richard Roirdan, but Caruso decided not to run.

I don't, he's a developer. Have no use for developers, they are a curse on this city. So I'm glad he's out of the running.

Villaraigosa is NOT running unopposed. There's like 3 or 4 other men running against him. They've had a different person every morning on GDLA to speak in the 8 AM hour and then come back in the 9 AM hour to answer viewer's questions!
There's also a gentleman with the last name of Hernandez who made some very good points on Monday!
I'm all for what Craig had said about we've got to stop this catering to Illegal Aliens...that is what's killing our economy and draining our hospitals and healthcare system dry...actually dryer than dry! Until this State and Arizona and Texas all start working together...with the Republicans not budging one iota - we ARE going to lose our portion of the Stimulus for the State of California according to Barbara Boxer tonight!
That's just my opinion....

How about we finally deport every single ILLEGAL NON DOCUMENTED person in California. How about we quit providing them with welfare, and then how about we quit awarding mothers who have baby after baby or 8 at a time on our dime!
How about we legalize marijuana and tax it and think of the money that could be raised in California alone on that one. You'd save money from not prosecuting for smoking a joint and the State could make a freakin' fortune off of the profits!
There are so many ways to make money in this state....the Republicans are in a real quagmire. If they hold out much longer, this will be blamed on them, and they won't be re-elected if we lose out on Stimulus money for our share for the State. This is almost Karmic Glory seeing the ReThugs in this predicament....They're damned if they do, and they're damned if they don't.
Then just wait until next month if and WHEN the California Supreme Court overturns Prop 8 and all those people who paid their hard earned Right Wing Dollars to Yes on 8 see their money go down the drain!!!
Oh it's so wonderful to be a LIBERAL!

PAUL WROTE: "Laura Chick would throw her hat into the ring"

I like Rick Caruso, especially because he's endorsed by Richard Roirdan, but Caruso decided not to run.

Wasn't the Mayor Villaraigosa on this morning's news? When are the other candidates scheduled to appear so we can compare and contrast the candidates?

Paul - which of the other two to vote for?

From what I have seen, Moore is leading the pack (more campaign money?). I was hoping for a debate so we could see for ourselves, but Tony V has said no to any debates (I wonder why?). So I guess we will have to do our research before March. I was hoping Laura Chick would throw her hat into the ring since she leaving office because of term limits. She has done a lot in exposing the waste in the city.

Here's a link to what I found on Moore.
http://web.mac.com/waltermoore/WalterMooreForMayor/Home.html

"We need to stop treating the taxpayers across California like a personal ATM." This is a comment from Sen. Tony Strickland (R)and I agree with him. Those idiots in Sacramento who want this tax increase need to stop spending and the California Senators, Assembly and the Governor need to live within their means just like most of us do. This is going to cripple this State forever if it passes, because once they tax us, they will never change. They will just keep on their spending spree.

The proposed tax increases are outrageous especially in light of the state of our economy. The State politicians need to use restraint in their spending. Why should Californians pay for their lack of restraint and their mistakes! Why don't they take a voluntary salary cut. The State government, like the Federal government are abusing our children and grandchildren because their the ones who will stuck with this debt as well. They need to stop spending. They are out of control - what example is that to our children!

Paul - which of the other two to vote for?

Rubin is against gay marriage though he does support civil unions - I don't see much information on the other candidate. I don't want to vote in a "demonic Hitler" in either? :)

Craig said:

"Okay, so he's not running unopposed, but does anybody give either of those guys a realistic chance of beating the big political machine that is Tony V.? Does he really feel it necessary to spend hundreds of thousands on TV advertising to secure this election?"

Does anyone here think Tony V. has done a good job as Mayor? If so, then what did he do? If not, isn't it our duty to get rid go do nothing politicains? Isn't that the reason this state is in the mess that it is because our elected legislators are not doing their job and catering to specal interest?

It's time to take a stand and get rid of the deadwood. We as voters need to take charge. Get out and vote, we know it can make a diffrence look at Obama. We need that same unity here. And we can start by getting rid of Tony V., give someone else a stab at the job. We know if Tony V. gets re-elected, he will do even less than he done in the last four years.

C'mon people, lets show these politicains we are mad as hell and not going to take this sh*t anymore. We need to show we have power too. Get out there and vote next month for someone else for mayor. There are other choices.

MY opinion: California- ALL of it, the government and citizens alike- are screwed. We have the highes taxes, the most outrageous nitpicking regulations, are the illegal immigration capital of the known universe at a cost of almost 11 BILLION annually, and are losing more citizens that we are gaining, probably because of the aforementioned issues. No wonder we are in this mess.
So, to raise taxes or not. I don't know about you, but I'm already paying more than enough for vehicle registration and gas (in part because of California regulations). And, California already has the highest cost of living in the nation outside of The District of Colombia. Cost of living vs. quality of living, is it really worth it for most of us?
So, if they do raise taxes, how many more will leave? We have already driven business away from California because of regulations and taxes. How many more will leave with higher taxes? Will it really be enough or is just the first round of increases in a state where government spending has gone completely out of control?
Get spending under control- rediculous pork, wacked out entitlements, and liberal spending on the people who just walk across the border, whoever they are, which ever border it is- and stop the downard spiral.
More taxes are just a bandaid on a gaping wound.
Good luck, California, you really need it.

I say get rid of CalTrans. The absent and unemployed fathers that have their baby's mama on welfare should pay it back by working for the city. They don't need to make 13.00 + an hour. Min wage in return for 100's of dollars of free food. That sounds good to me. Maybe if they had to actually work for the money they would appreciate it better. What are they teaching their children?

I can talk about the budget all day. So I will just say this. I have e-mailed the govenor many times to give some ideas on where to make the cuts, so that hard working AMERICANS won't have to take all these tax increases. I work in a grocery store, and it seems to me that when many working families (mine included) are finding it hard enough to keep our children fed, why is it that people with the EBT are still able to purchase 100's of dollars in food? They don't seem to be hurting. They wear nice clothes,a lot of gold jewelry and their nails are always done. I see them buying cookies, candy, soda and chips on FOOD stamps. And then they share this EBT card or they come in with 2-3 different cards right in front of everyone. And then their baby's daddy is right there putting in what he wants. Don't get me wrong, I was on aid too, but when I got married, I got off. Not only that back then I didn't get enough to live on. But now I see that these people are getting enough for two families. Now if they are getting enough to share their foods stamps, then they are getting too much. And this is going on through out the state. I say we should go back to vouchers for clothes and turning in their bills to get paid. Block them from purchasing all the JUNK food (as it doesn't help all the obesse children anyway). Don't let them have so much freedom with the money. They (like a lot of the top dogs) don't know how to spend it. And we are the ones fitting the bill.

Okay, so he's not running unopposed, but does anybody give either of those guys a realistic chance of beating the big political machine that is Tony V.? Does he really feel it necessary to spend hundreds of thousands on TV advertising to secure this election?
I won't vote for Tony V. out of principle, I will look at both of the other candidates and the one that most closely matches my political views will get my vote.
His "Million potholes covered" and his tree planting" promises were a sham and a fiasco, and Tony V. is more famous for getting his mug in front of the camera looking like he is doing something, but he is nothing more than a publicity hound.
There was a report on a radio station that he spent about 10% of his mayor work time on "actual city business"!
Chris - I empathasize with you big time buddy! My wife and I are also laid off and we don't even have the worry of having kids to support that you do! My prayers go out to you that at least one of you can find suitable employment soon!

Al - You are so right! Their logic befuddles me! People are losing their jobs and yet you raise taxes expecting us to pay more money! How! Is there a new money tree you can plant in your yard that I am unaware of? These politicians have their heads "you know where" to think we can afford more taxes! To all politicians in Sacramento:
TAKE YOUR OWN GODDAMN PERKS AWAY FIRST AND YOUR DOUBLE DIPPING PENSIONS AND FREE CARS AND GAS WE ARE PAYING FOR AND PAY FOR YOUR OWN TRANSPORTATION AND GAS FOR A CHANGE AND GET A REAL DOSE OF REALITY PILL!!

It is criminal for the state to raise anymore taxes. With unemployment running high, with California having the highest taxes in the nation already, why punish us anymore? Many of us are just hanging on. Hopefully they will have to go to the table and figure out some other ways to cut spending without raising taxes. If this budget is passed there will be an exodus from this state as busineses will not be able to survive, not to mention the people of our state.

I agree with you, Frank. Let's cut our way to a balanced budget instead of using "California taxpayers as their (leaders) personal ATM machine."

The state feasted on increased gasoline and sales tax when fuel was expensive. Those revenues were not enough to quench the thirst of state government. You simply cannot tax us during a recession and must cut services. Instead of increasing the tax burden, the State must cynch its belt like many of us have.

Raise taxes, EMPHATICALLY NO!!!!!!! I pay may fair share and then some. It's time for the state and federal governments to cut employees and "benefits". If you can't afford something why should the government provide it (ie: why should the tax payers provide it). But, we keep doing it ourselves with all these wonderful bond issues and freebies. And, just wait for the taxes to kick in for the Obama "stimulus package". There will be tax implications for at least two more generations with this nonsense.

OUT WITH ALL OF THEM. And those of you (I see your posts here already) living off my tax dollars (politicians, welfare moms, government employees, not cops and fire, teachers etc....) get a real job and stop relying on the taxpayer for your living!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CA residents are already paying the highest taxes in the nation! NO MORE!!!!
I really wish the TRUTH would come out instead of the sham that is going coming out of Sacramento from the Govenor on down. The media is choosing NOT to report the REAL story of how much this bill will cost each of us over the next 5 years! WHY??? Why won't KTLA 5 and others report more (of the truth) on the state of this budget mess? Makes me wonder.
Makes me want the get the heck out of Dodge cuz my family can't afford to give another $1,500 to $2,000 a year to this State to use for out of control spending! They already get too much of my money.

Good morning,
I am not supporting any new tax's until I have seen the government cut some of their costs and wasteful spending. What about welfare and entitlement fraud in this state. I am sorry there may have to be state layoffs, I know how they feel. My wife and I have both been laid off with two kids and a mortgage and they want ME to pay more!!

How can the CA govt raise taxes on people out of work? How can they raise it on the 20,000 people they are about to layoff? When you lose your job, you lose your income. You do not make more money to pay higher taxes. That type of math thinking is lost on me. I suggest that the legislature not get paid for a minimum of 3 months when a balanced budget is not reached by the legal deadline date before anyone person in the govt is laidoff or taxes are raised. It's just too bad we can't layoff the legislature. The citizens of CA should not have to pay the price for the incompetence of a legislature that wasted our tax dollars on raises for themselves and on projects or project costs that were not needed or unreasonable. A vote for these tax increases (5% surcharge on income taxes; 12 cent increase on gas taxes; and a 1 percent increase on sales taxes) is permanent, not temporary. Perhaps if the democrats put in there that the tax increases would automatically end after one fiscal year, it may pass. More importantly, the governor should get on TV and explain why we have to pay for his and the legislature's failures and how people who lost their jobs can afford higher taxes.

Jozie said:

Mayor Villaraigosa is not running unopposed.

And he won't debate. The people of this city need to see that for their own good they need to get rid of him. He's done nothing in four years for the advage citizen of this city. He's only for big money special interest. And Craig is right, we will be hit by new higher city taxes and fees on top of those by the state. That's all this city does.

Although I think the Senate Republicans have been a weak political force I'm glad they are standing up against these absurd tax increases. The Democrats have proposed no real spending cuts but instead expect my family to pay up. This is not a time to raise taxed in California, we already pay way to much. Thousands are fleeing the state every month and if these taxes pass thousands more will too. See how much more you'll have to pay by going to the Sac Bee's Calculator:

http://www.sacbee.com/1098/story/1627728.html

Craig:

Mayor Villaraigosa is not running unopposed.

Craig X. Rubin, actor/pastor/politician, challenges Villaraigosa.
http://californianewswire.com/2008/10/01/CNW2062_220355.php

As does Westchester lawyer Walter Moore.
http://articles.latimes.com/2008/oct/25/local/me-caruso25

Developer Rick Caruso dropped out of contention a few months ago citing family commitments.

That's all I could find so far.

If the Sacro politicans/robber barons do pass this heinous budget, it could be the infamous "straw that broke the camel's back" and you might just see either:
1] Massive business and middle class families taking flight to other states leaving California to the illegals and welfare cheats and greedy politicians or:

2] a massive tax revolt and demonstrations, I know some local radio hosts that are planning some events already and POLITICiANS HEADS WILL ROLL IN 2010!!

*By the way, what is the deal with the ads for mayor for LA? Isn't Tony running unopposed? Why does he have to spend valuable taxpayer dollars on TV advertising on an election he is already going to win?

SOMEONE PLEASE COME UP WITH A LOGICAL ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION!!
MORE WASTEFUL SPENDING IN MY OPINION!!

Hey frank when is channel 5 going to tell the viewing public exactly how much the new tax bill will cost a family of four. I've seen estimates from $1,250 to $1,550 per year. When are they going to tell the viewing public that California is one of the heaviest taxed states in the union. By the way just wait until after the mayor is reelected to hear how Los Angeles is broke and needs more taxes. Have you seen the horrible state of the streets in LA. Where is all the local tax money going.

There is one solution to this mess--recall and remove from office the Governor and all legislators who voted for this so-called budget.

Taxes are to the California government what heroin is to a junkie. It's time for them to stop cold turkey.

California already pays some of the highest taxes in the country. The state budget has grown some 40% since 2003 when based on inflation and growth it should have only grown about 20%. I don't know about anyone else but I haven't seen a 40% improvement in state governement. Have you? 20% of the budget could be cut and we would still be able to operate. Also the cuts need to be real cuts not the imaginary cuts where the politicians say they are cutting but in reality all they do is not provide an anticipated increase or cost of living increase. With all the screaming about cuts to the original budget back in July (ok it didn't pass for several months) the final budget was still higher than the previous year.

If politicians must raise a tax how about a big tax on all political contributions. At least that way the voters will get something when the politicians get bought off by unions and businesses.

Even the politicians know this is an awful budget. Why else would they keep it in the dark and try to vote on it late at night over a holiday weekend? Even the politicians foolish enough to vote for it want to do so when there will be the least amount of press coverage. Obviously the politicians are afraid to let anyone really see how they plan to rob us of even more money.

I say trim the fat first before you have to add addition tax burden on the working people of this state. There is plenty of waste in this state. Put together a task force to investigate welfare and disability fraud. Get rid of the perks that our law makers get. Suspend EPA laws till the state can get back on it's feet. Legalized marijuana and tax it. This would be a big boom for the state. Make it affordable for companies to do business here. Workers Comp is the number one issue for companies. That's why many have left the state. Tax churches, they are a business, they should pay their fair share the same as any other business.

And vote any one out of office who votes for this budget be they Dem or Rep for not doing their job. Since we have such poor public transportation in this state, and many can't take public transportation. it's a burden to raise the tax on gas and car fees. Raising taxes is not answer every time the state can reach a budget. The state has to learn to live within it's means just as we all do. Raising taxes should only be a last resort.

I want to see some of the social programs cut. Many don't work. Medi-cal recipients should not be able to receive services such as acupuncture, chiropractic, and adult day care. I have to pay out of pocket for those services. When my ailing grandmother was needing help, we took care of her by trading off between our family, not sending her to a social club paid for by the state.

Since the legislators are not doing the job they are paid to do, until they reach a budget they should not be paid. Then in the next election they should all be replaced. AND I MEAN ALL OF THEM. These people are so worried about being reelected that they are afraid to upset their backers that they cut what is truly needed. We need people running California who know what it is really like to live paycheck to paycheck who know what its like having their sons and daughters education suffer from having to many kids in one class. I am getting sick of politicians.

STOP!

NO MORE LAYOFFS.

Representatives and the Governor should continue to work toward a resolution.

Be bold. That's why we voted for them.

Raise taxes if we must. People understand the economy is in trouble and we gotta work/suffer together until we're back on our feet.

Maybe I missed something but when the Governor said we'd get an IOU instead of our income tax returns Californians didn't take to the street protesting. We don't like it, but we're being patient.

Raise tax on gas. Folks will decide if they need to carpool, take public transportation or ride a bike to work. Lots of folks made alternate arrangements when gas topped $3.00 per gallon.

Add a tax to luxuries like wine, beer, spa treatments, season tickets for sports and entertainment events. People who have money will continue these activities if they have jobs and money.

Commercial properties protected by Prop 13. We've talked about this before. Maybe it's time to remove that protection on commercial properties.

If state tax is raised, make sure some of that money goes to the state. I understand that money usually is kept by Macy and Target, etc., stores to improve their property. Why not send 20% of those tax dollars to the state government?

Increase licensing fees? GULP!

Bottom Line - keep people working. We'll get past this crisis. We always do.

Let's see if I understand this correctly...

The California legislators are proposing to RAISE taxes during a recession? Brilliant!

How will that stimulate the economy? California already has one of the most unfriendly business climates in the nation and yet they want to propose increasing costs. Unbelievable!

Should they keep working on it until they get it right? Of course! Its better than the alternative of forcing a budget through to get it passed that in turn will devastate residents for generations to come.

I'm not positive, but I think there is legislation that has built-in annual pay increases for these career politicians. In other words, they no longer need to vote on giving themselves raises, they receive them automatically. And instead would have to vote to refuse the salary increase. We all know how unlikely that is...

http://www.lao.ca.gov/analysis_2007/2007_pandi/pi_08_anl07.aspx

Yet, these same politicans can have a say so on how businesses in the private sector can spend its money? Most of these people have no business nor economic background let alone an understanding of how to balance their own checkbooks.

Come on Sacramento, do your job and cut the necessary expenses on the wasted funding of many governmental programs. And quit using the schools and elderly as guilt-trips to increase taxes!!!

-m

Fran & Gigi - Both great ideas! - Unfortunately - when it comes to the State politicians giving up their perks-DON'T HOLD YOUR BREATH!! THEY RATHER TAX YOU TO THE POORHOUSE THAN GIVE UP THEIR LUXURY TAXPAYER FINANCED SUV OR CADILLAC!! They have lost touch with the common middle class/working class family, they don't care! They just want to satisfy their LOBBYISTS THAT KEEP THEM LIVING THE "FATCAT LIFESTYLE" and all their screwed up policy decisions end up taking money out of our wallets!! Screw them! In 2010! Vote every incumbent out of office and have a 21ST CENTURY VERSION OF THE BOSTON TEA PARTY!!
WE ALL DRESS UP LIKE TERMINATORS AND LASER EXTINGUISH OUR STATE TAX FORMS!!