6 months ago
SACRAMENTO, CA - Shortly after lawmakers achieved a budget compromise following marathon negotiations at the Capitol in February, Governor Arnold Schwarzengger began campaigning for Propositions 1A-F.
The combination of tax increases, borrowing from the state lottery, and a spending cap was built to help balance the budget.
But what if the measures don't go over with voters?
"I never go around and promote, or make people aware of initiatives and talk about if they fail. That's not my style," said Governor Schwarzenegger in February.
"You have Democrats and Republicans both saying this is the right way to go."
Californians don't seem to agree. A recent field poll of 901 registered voters shows 67 percent think the budget gap should be closed with mostly spending cuts. 23 percent say it should be done with new taxes, while 10 percent have no opinion.
Because Props 1A-F rely heavily on new taxes, lawmakers are considering plan B.
"It doesn't look very good right now," said Republican Assembleyman Tom Berryhill of Modesto.
"I think these initiatives were always an uphill struggle, and I think they still are," said Assembley Republican Leader Mike Villines of Fresno.
He favors the temporary tax increases, but understands voters are leary.
"If (voters) say no, then we'll go where they want, which will be (spending) cuts across the board."
He estimates those cuts could be between $10 and $20 billion, and says the hardest hit areas would likely be education, and the prison system, possibly including early releases for inmates.
Even if the cuts go that deep, Republican Ted Gaines of Roseville says it's better than billions in new taxes.
"We don't need to tax folks another $16 billion," said Gaines. "They've already been taxed $13 billion. I was in opposition to the first tax increase (in February), I'm in opposition to the second proposal."
Berryhill disagrees; he wants the temporary taxes. But his hope for Props 1A-F has been diminished.
"I think that California is going to be in for some very hard times. And sometimes, I think you have to hit the bottom before you can fix things."
California Democrats also have their reservations about the propositions. Recently, Democrats narrowly rejected Proposition 1A at their state convention in Sacramento.
They say the spending cap would limit lawmakers flexibility when negotiating a budget.
News10/KXTV
