[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Looks like Alexa has added more material to a piece that was posted earlier by kattracks.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

ndx

[Wolfie]

Really, shutting down the prisons is the first thing they'd do? Poppycock. Scare tactics. On the other hand, if the People of California want big government, then they should be willing to pay for it.

[KC_Conspirator]

Of course, reversing an forever expanding state government is never an option.

[joltinjoe]

I love how the democraps always threaten us with letting the prisoners loose. I guess in Steve Peace's world there is not ONE SINGLE PROGRAM in California that can be cut except the prisons.

[Hugin]

"The Republicans have chosen, just like they chose in the energy crisis, to be nonparticipants," Peace said.

The Dems have total control of the Governorship and the legislature, yet they still try to find some way to blame th Pubs for their screw up. It was the Governor who locked us into buying energy long term at high prices, in order to avoid a (temporary) raise in rates. Energy that is now being sold at a loss. If he had simply allowed the utilites to raise rates, it would have fixed itself in a couple of months. That ruined CA credit rating raising the interest we are paying in bonds. Not that it stops them from putting ever more bond issues on the ballot.

[Wyatt's Torch]

Some interesting comments by a hedge-fund manager (Ashby Foote, Vector Money Management)

SNAP, CRACKLE, POW.........................
That's the sound a bullwhip makes when it is cracked by someone who knows what he is doing. A soft piece of cowhide that makes up just 2% of the whip makes a sound that reverberates across the corral and gets the attention of every man and animal around. In state after state we are now witnessing the top 2% of the tax rolls snap and roil state budgets like never before even as the consumer confidence of middle America stands tall. We are now seeing the dark side of a tax code that over the past 15 years has put more and more of the tax burden on the top 10% of tax payers. California was one the biggest benificiaries of the technology boom of the late 90s. Salaries went up but more important total income from stock options and capital gains exploded to approximately $200 billion in 2000, up from $25 billion in 1994. In 2001 it fell to $70 billion and is the main reason the state is looking at a $20 to $25 billion shortfall for this fiscal year. To the budgeteers - "taste the whip and consider again a flat tax."

[gunshy]

How about we cut the salaries of our elected reps, cut their staff by 50%, do away with their pension fund contributions until they balance the budget without raising taxes, do away with their taxpayer paid junkets and the automobiles and drivers, free lunches etc. That could raise a few millions of dollars. That's what I would call a good start.

[lowbridge]

California: Record budget deficit could lead to tax hikes (Democrats say )

California: Sun sets in the west could lead to tax hikes (Democrats say )

California: People breathing oxygen could lead to tax hikes (Democrats say )

California: France surrendering could lead to tax hikes (Democrats say )

California: Paint drying could lead to tax hikes (Democrats say )

California: Bill Clinton looking down Bride's cleavage could lead to tax hikes (Democrats say )

California: Thunderstorms could lead to tax hikes (Democrats say )

California: Being born could lead to tax hikes (Democrats say )

California: Getting old could lead to tax hikes (Democrats say )

[Mr. Jeeves]

"There's either going to be tax increases or we are going to eliminate programs like shutting down prisons and letting prisoners out..."

How about shutting down schools and letting the prisoners out?

California, the "technology state", could lead the nation by providing a set of interactive computer DVD's containing the entire K-12 curriculum free to all students - and shutting down the massive public miseducation bureaucracy. Based on the results delivered to date, California's students would be no worse off if the entire public school system ceased to exist.

[heleny]

shutting down prisons

Gray Davis was already planning to shut down five privately run prisons (all well-run, according to a state audit) which were not part of the CCPOA prison guards union. He raised the salaries of unionized prison guards by 34%, costing $1 Billion. The prison guards donated $251,000 to Davis two weeks later.

A few articles on this topic:
Davis - A big prison paycheck San Francisco Chronicle | April 2, 2002
California:Governor is looking to kill privately run prisons Sacramento Bee | May 9,2002
(mentioned Report links money to key legislation Sacramento Bee | March 19, 2002)

[heleny]

projected $22 billion shortfall

Just heard on the radio that Davis' budget expects a $23.5 Billion shortfall, and plans cuts in healthcare and aid to local governments.

[TheRedSoxWinThePennant]

i know its california but if the gop cannot beat this inept govenor then we can write off the whole state and its 52 electoral votes probably forever

[Bill Davis FR]

like shutting down prisons and letting prisoners out...

why not shut down the schools and free the kids...lol

[Frohickey]

"There's either going to be tax increases or we are going to eliminate programs like shutting down prisons and letting prisoners out," said Peace, D-Chula Vista, head of the conference committee that will review Davis' budget plan.

Okay. My 50 cent a round, Federal HydraShok in 45ACP is a lot cheaper than the $15,000 a year that it takes to house, feed and clothe a convict. Just do us one favor. Before you set them lose, can you make sure that 'X-Con' is tatooed on their right and left cheekface? It would make it easier that way to collect my $14,999.50.

[LantzALot]

"There is a time in this business when you need to lay down the political sword and pick up a pen."

And that time comes after the DemonRats have already used their swords to hack everything to pieces.

[LantzALot]

Vehicle license-fee increase: Some lawmakers have urged Davis to raise the car tax,....

If only. That's what got the Klintoon un-elected after just one term in Arkansas. But, then, Californians would probably be more likely to fall for the spin that would be put on it.

[laredo44]

They also want a budget amendment that would limit state spending growth to the growth in personal income.

Connecticut passed one of those when the enacted the income tax. The lawmakers just ignored it and kept on spending. Don't give them the money to start with.

[SSN558]

Every nutty program, law, and tax the liberals have enacted for the last 15 years is begining to backfire right in their collective faces. As usual CA leads the nation, only this time it is in the collapse of the socialist police state.

[reg45]

Excuses! Excuses! Excuses!