[courtesy of California Progress Report]

Dan Walters suggests the Legislature cut a stick – for him to beat them with

By Bill Cavala
A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento

Liz Hill, the budget analyst is retiring to columns of approbation from the Capitol Press Corps. Dan Walters is the latest to heap praise on Hill.

Walters sets up a false dichotomy between “the right thing to do” and the “politically expedient” thing to do. The “politically expedient” thing is that which voters would prefer to see and which they would reward with further service The “right thing” would be to take action voters oppose – like raising taxes or cutting essential spending.

Funny, I always thought the people should have a voice in this business

Walters is part of the “I know better” caucus. Not answerable to the people, they feel free to castigate politicians forced to pay attention by the election process.

Liz Hill is one of them too. As Walters correctly writes, “Hill’s alternative budget
Had something for every party, every ideology, virtually every budget interest group to dislike”. Walters believes that to be a good thing. (After all, it has no public support).
I don’t agree.

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has endorsed former state Senator Jackie Speier in her bid for theDistrict 12 congressional seat. "I don't think anyone is morequalified, I don't think anyone is more experienced," said Newsom.

An independent budget analyst has called Governor Schwarzenegger's deep cut solution misguided.Legislative Analyst Elizabeth Hill wrote,  "While the administration'sapproach... has the appeal of fairness, it reflects little effort toprioritize and determine which state programs ... are most critical."

Proposition 92 has the state's two largest teachers unions pitted against each other:The California Federation of Teachers in favor, and The CaliforniaTeachers Association against. Proposition 92 would increase spending oncommunity colleges by $300 million per year and result in a $70 millionloss of student fee revenues per year.

There's more... 

by David Dayen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]