California fiscal conservatives file spending-cap proposal

SacBee: Capitol Alert ^ | 12/6/11 | Kevin Yamamura

[SmithL]

A day after Gov. Jerry Brown asked voters for $7 billion in additional taxes, a trio of fiscal conservatives said Tuesday they filed a ballot initiative to cap state spending.

The proposal would reconfigure the Gann Limit, a 1979 spending restriction established on the heels of tax-limiting Proposition 13. Voters later softened the limit, and the state is now $17 billion below the spending cap.

The California Taxpayers Association, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and Small Business Action Committee want to reset the Gann Limit at the 2010-11 spending level. They would limit spending based on a formula driven generally by population and inflation growth.

In years where tax revenues are greater than the limit, the state would first have to pay down debt and then divide up to $2 billion between schools and a rainy-day fund. If money is left over, the state would return funds to taxpayers.

The proposal could potentially blunt any tax increase that voters may pass in the same November 2012 election.

[RIghtwardHo]

meh. While I appreciate the effort, zero chance it will pass in CA.

[GOP Poet]

bookmark

[eyeamok]

I understand these Groups like Jarvis, I remember seeing Howard Jarvis driving around the Valley in his Van and Speaker. But These RAT BASTARDS CANNOT BE TRUSTED WITH ANY MONEY, The proposal should be to ABOLISH THE STATE INCOME TAX.

[Publius6961]

first have to pay down debt and then divide up to $2 billion between schools and a rainy-day fund.

This is so mind boggling stupid I'm speechless.

Who wrote this the California Teachers Union?
Education costs have tripled in the last 30 years and standards reduced and achievement actually dropped.

Other than that, I'd support the initiative.