by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

by Robert in Monterey [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

by David Dayen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Samuel S. Kang
Legal Counsel
The Greenlining Institute

California is facing a record budget deficit of over $15 billion. Many of the state’s poorest communities have already started to make painful cuts to vital services like education and public transportation. Despite all the debate in Sacramento, good ideas seem to be in short supply.

Governor Schwarzenegger, for example, is proposing ideas that largely burdens low and moderate income families to close the gap, such as increasing college tuition, mortgaging the state lottery, and increasing the sales tax. Each of these ideas has been soundly criticized by legislatures and non-partisan fiscal watchdogs. All the while, the Governor has conveniently overlooked tax loopholes that allow California’s wealthiest residents avoid paying sales tax on their new yachts.

One idea, however, has the potential to help maintain vital public services while saving California’s taxpayers billions of dollars. That idea has now turned into a reality under the courageous leadership of State Treasurer Bill Lockyer.

by David Dayen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Dave Johnson
Speak Out California

At Speak Out California, we have been writing quite a bit about democracy and about the meaning of the words "We, the People."

Decades of conservative/corporate marketing has convinced too many of us to think of ourselves as passive consumers rather than participatory citizens. This thinking has brought with it numerous negative consequences. But if we work to restore our understanding that WE are "the government" we can start to see our state and country the way the founders intended. We can see that we are in control and can make decisions that increase the benefits we receive as citizens.

In a recent post, The Power of the Words "We, the People" , I wrote: “As an experiment, try substituting the words, "We, the People" every time you read or use the word "government." Or use the word "our" instead of "the" when you say "the government." Our government, us, we, the people.”

Later in that post I wrote: “Conservatives have worked hard to make "government" a bad word. They complain about "big government." They complain about "government schools." But what happens when we substitute a form of "We, the People" into their slogans? The whole meaning seems to change.”

by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

A few months ago, Arnold Schwarzenegger unleashed his "cuts only" budget onto an unsurprised Sacramento. He said all the right things for a Republican: "we have a spending problem, not a revenue problem" yada, yada.  But, underneath it all, many observers thought that the budget was some sort of ploy to get Republicans to actually put everything on the table.  The logic went that the Republicans needed to know that it wouldn't be cuts on the Democratic-favored programs. It would mean closing schools in their districts, axing future water projects, etc.

If the Democrats are going to put their sacred cow on the table, education, at least the Republicans should do the same with their sacred taxation cow. But the Republicans in the legislature were slow to get the message, so Arnold is being a little more direct these days.

"I said and I made it very clear that everything is on the table," Schwarzenegger said.

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