Schwarzenegger Seems Ready To Go Around Two-Thirds

Blockbuster Democracy ^ | December 23, 2008 | Joe Matthews

[CalifScreaming]

California's governor initially indicated he would veto an $18 billion package of cuts and tax increases that had been passed last week by the Democratic legislature on majority vote. But yesterday, he said he had made progress in negotiations with Democrats on the package. Schwarzenegger simply wants a rollback of some laws that he thinks restrain economic growth.

This package, put together by legislative Democrats, is significant not merely as a response to the ongoing state buget crisis. It's a precedent setter because it involves passing a tax increase without the two-thirds vote required under the California constitution. Republicans are crying foul and threatening to challenge the package in court. If Schwarzenegger agrees to sign the legislation after these current talks, you can expect a lawsuit.

That litigation may prove crucial not only to preventing the state from running out of cash in two months. Depending on how the courts rule, it may open up a new era in California's budget politics, providing a crucial loophole around the two-thirds rule on taxes (which was part of Prop 13). The state constitution also requires a two-thirds vote for a budget; that law has been in place since the 1930s.

One final point: The last 48 hours were full of nasty rhetoric between Democrats and the governor. The Democrats should cool it. Here you have a Republican governor who seems willing -- in the interests of saving the state from economic disaster -- to undermine a pillar of Republican power, the two-thirds vote. In the spirit of the season and common sense, now is the time for Democrats to shut their mouths and try not to seize defeat from the jaws of victory.

[CalifScreaming]

Arnold the worst example of putting in an empty suit in office.

We do have recourse with this budget. The Dems are going to call taxes fees. In California all fees are subject to voter referendum. We must have a showdown at the ballot box.

[Never2baCrat]

I’ve already voiced my opinion regarding the girly boy’s signing ILLEGAL taxes via his offices. This damned person of lower stature is worth less than the box of rocks I have in my garden!
My intention is to cut back drastically in my spending and only buy things I REALLY need!

[John Jorsett]

This isn’t going to lead to just a lawsuit but also a referendum. Interestingly, while you can’t referend a tax in California, you CAN referend a “fee” which these Bozos have opened themselves up to with this maneuver.

[John Jorsett]

My intention is to cut back drastically in my spending and only buy things I REALLY need!

My thoughts too. For those things that I do buy, I'm going to buy as much as possible thru online sources such as Amazon and eBay where I don't have to pay California's confiscatory (and possibly soon to be even more so) sales tax.

[Foolsgold]

We need to split the state. Cut along the coast down to LA (and Hollyweird) and back to the Ocean at the Orange County line

See if Silicon Valley can pay all the welfare cuz god knows that per capita income in the area will not.

[goldstategop]

Agreed. The Democrats have no respect for the law; it is a duty of every citizen to refuse to pay illegally imposed taxes and to resist the usurpation of the rights of the minority. Government loses its right to rule us when it breaks the social compact from wherein it derives its authority - from the people.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Fee]

Unfortunately Prop 8 is the new model against referendum. So CA citizens kill the “fees” with a referendum. The state will go to the CA Supreme Court who will rule that somewhere in the state constitution the state has a right to maintain fiscal stability thus over rule referendum results. People are pist and they have a referendum to inact an admendment to the constitution that nullifies the state court ruling, and the state AG goes back to court to argue that the new constituional admendment past by referendum is not constituional because it will inact fiscal chaos, etc, etc,. If I look into the crystal ball CA is heading for armed insurgency and riots. That is how it is all going to end.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Now, now...Arnold's a Republican! That magical "R" on the chest works wonders.

Radio disclaimer voice at end of ad: BeingARepublicanDoesn'tGuaranteeFiscalOrSocialConservatism
MayCauseRINOism,Bipartisanship,andBendingOverToDemocratsVoidWhereProhibited

[SierraWasp]

"In California all fees are subject to voter referendum."

Prop 210, "The Right To Vote On Taxes?" That old relic from the 90's? That'll hold up about as well as that Prop 22 that marriage WAS reserved for only one man and one woman... And of course the current Prop 8!!!

Arnold must prove to all you old-line, hard over, rigid Republicans that he will COMPELL you all to live in a deep purple state. Deep purple because there'll be much more blue in it than red!!!

[tubebender]

Schwarzenegger simply wants a rollback of some laws that he thinks restrain economic growth.

You mean like dumping the Global sWarming Bull S... you are proposing!!!

[Lancey Howard]

We must have a showdown at the ballot box.

In California? No, forget that, it's hopeless.
This needs to go full blast to the courts.

[John Jorsett]

Luckily, the voters also get to vote for the members of the Supreme Court in retention elections. That’s how we got rid of Rose Bird. I think some of the members are already on thin ice. Any further shenanigans on their part like invalidating a referendum would definitely prompt a Bird-like retaliation and they know it.

[Drago]

That'll hold up about as well as that Prop 22 that marriage WAS reserved for only one man and one woman... And of course the current Prop 8!!!

 Don't forget Prop. 187...also thrashed...I am sure we are forgetting some more!