by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Anthony Wright
Executive Director of Health Access California

Former Governor Pete Wilson gave the Governor's radio address over the weekend, and hinted at what the Governor Schwarzenegger might be thinking, as we head into the week where the budget will be announced.

Josiah Greene at the California Majority Report is right to sound the alarm. Wilson invokes his attempt at Proposition 165, to give him as Governor more budget-cutting authority. It also raises the specter of Schwarzenegger coming back with something similar to Prop 76, which would have allowed the Governor to make unilateral budget cuts in certain emergencies. Both measures failed at the ballot box, and for good reason.

Whether the cuts are "unilateral" or "automatic" doesn't make them better, it makes them worse.

• It means that cuts are made without proper consideration of what is penny-wise and pound-foolish;

• It means that cuts are prioritized over other budget solutions, including raising revenues, and yes, taxes.

• It means that legislators escape accountability to make the tough choices, whether cuts or revenues.

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

In 2003, in response to the threat of a $14 billion budget deficit (sound familiar?), Governor Schwarzenegger proposed -- but failed to pass -- a strict budget spending cap triggering automatic "robocuts" which even he later admitted would have had the effect of locking in billions of dollars in reductions to essential state services such as public safety.
 
In 2005, the Governor proposed and funded Proposition 76, a statewide initiative that would have once again set a strict spending cap, weakened Proposition 98 and given the Governor unilateral authority to make budget cuts to education, public safety and other services, whenever, wherever, he wanted.  It was overwhelmingly defeated by a 24-point margin.
 
This year, on the eve of the Governor’s State of the State and Budget announcement -- and, again, in the face of a $14-billion budget deficit -- the Governor appears to be eyeing opportunity in crisis and readying yet another run at a controversial spending cap/robocuts scheme.
 

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

At yesterday's entertaining PPIC forum on improving the legislature, reforming term limits got support from two unexpected movers and shakers: former Governor Pete Wilson and former Republican State Senate leader Jim Brulte. They, along with former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown and former Democratic Senate President pro Tem John Burton, all threw their support behind efforts to reform term limits as a way to cure what they believed was a "dysfunctional" legislature.

Senator Brulte spoke strongly in favor of Prop 93, the term limit reform initiative, saying it was essential to improve legislative performance. And Governor Wilson kicked off the session by talking about the need for legislators to cross party lines and building relationships -- something that's become more difficult as legislators spend more time politicking than policy making.

The endorsements are welcome good news for the Yes on 93 campaign. Polls have continued to show strong support for the initiative among Republicans.

Former Gov. Gray Davis endorsed Prop 93 last month in an appearance before the Sacramento Press Club.

Image courtesy Sacramento Bee.

by Crystal Strait [courtesy of Party Line]

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Former California Governor Pete Wilson has endorsed Rudy Giulianiin the 2008 presidential race, reports the Bakersfield Californian.It’s a big one for Giuliani—assuming, of course, he’s trying to ditchthe Hispanic vote.

Inside Bay Area is taking a look at how absentee ballots have front loaded the primaries in California, which were moved up to February 5. Voters have the option ofsubmitting absentee ballots up to six weeks before the primary date, afull week ahead of Iowa’s primaries. Meaning that election seasonshould be just around the corner.

The US Senate is preparing to pass legislation expanding the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, having voted 69-30, a veto-proof majority, to end debate on the bill,reports the Washington Post. The House, however, lacks such a majority.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has vowed to take up to the legislation“again and again and again” if Bush refuses to sign it.