Calif. Budget Debate Turns To Spending, Not Cuts

AP) ^ | January 9, 2013 2:28 PM

[BenLurkin]

SACRAMENTO (AP) — California’s financial fortunes are more optimistic than they have been in years, but Gov. Jerry Brown says he will propose a budget calling for continued frugality.

That could put him at odds with his fellow Democrats, who control both houses of the Legislature and want to restore state services lost during the recession.

Brown said this week that the state budget he will release Thursday for the coming fiscal year will include more money for K-12 schools and higher education. .....

The state legislative analyst has pegged the deficit at less than $2 billion, after years of double digit budget gaps.

[forgotten man]

In other California news today a bill has been introduced in the state assembly to give state employees another paid holiday. It will be called “Native American Day.” Even Jerry Brown cannot stop it if it passes.

[Dogfaced Soldier]

California Dems must have a special form of insanity that is characterized by foolish behavior and deterioration of the mental faculties if they see a deficit of $2 billion as a green light for more spending.

[umgud]

Keep in mind, they are already counting on increased revenue from their most recent tax increases. Of course, we know, those new revenues may not materialize.

[pogo101]

Brown will push for CONTINUED frugality? What does he mean, continued?

The state made cuts before he took office, in 2009, and since then it has jacked up spending, back to near "housing bubble hysteria" levels:

Notice that the 2011 budget was $127 billion. And down to what "frugal" level did Brown cut that $127 billion THIS year?

Try $142.6 billion. (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/california-politics/2012/06/governor-jerry-brown-signs-california-budget.html)

Wow. That's sure frugal, cutting a negative 15 billion and change!

This kind of frugality is why the state is a fiscal disaster.

[Hugin]

“after years of double digit budget gaps.”

So they were under a hundtred bucks?

[BenLurkin]

My reaction as well...until I realized that they meant over 10billion in deficit.

As though to make 2billion okay!

[Hugin]

Well, if they said, “after years of eleven digit deficits” someone might think there is a spending problem.