It may be the best kept secret in politics: there's a statewide special election on May 19th that could have a greater impact on Sacramento's schools, fire stations, and budget than anything they're doing down at City Hall. This special election is all about the state budget: the gaping $58 billion hole, and how the Governor and Legislature will go about fixing it. It includes new taxes, shifting of funds, the payback of funds to schools, and "modernizing" the state lottery so that it brings ... StevenMaviglio davidpentoney 2009-05-15T05:35:07Z 2009-05-15T05:35:07Z

Excerpted from above: "As the newly-minted State Senate Republican leader told the Bee today, he will advocate for sharp reductions in state spending across-the-board" An idea whose time should have come a long time ago.

davidpentoney 2009-05-15T05:35:07Z Steve V 2009-05-09T03:34:57Z 2009-05-09T03:34:57Z

VOTE 1ABC NO, 1DEF YES Vote for liberty.

Steve V 2009-05-09T03:34:57Z Jim Knapp 2009-05-05T15:55:59Z 2009-05-05T15:55:59Z

Steve, the reason spending in California is going up is because of illegal immigration, excessive government salaries, excessive retirement packages and providing too many services to freeloaders. If you offer free services, people from all over the world will come here to take advantage of those free services...it's like feeding stray cats..they will keep coming. they will bring their family and they will reproduce at alarming rates.

Jim Knapp 2009-05-05T15:55:59Z Jim Knapp 2009-05-05T15:52:51Z 2009-05-05T15:52:51Z

California is going to melt down this year...these propositions will not pass... oops... then what? What really pisses me off is that the average Californian refuses to blame our politicians for our financial meltdown, we keep electing the same morons back into office. Unless you support throwing out all incumbents, you should keep your mouth shut when the state goes belly up.

Jim Knapp 2009-05-05T15:52:51Z Oracle 2009-05-04T17:16:20Z 2009-05-04T17:16:20Z

These initiatives are going down in flames. I've already voted and so have all our friends and neighbors - a big fat NO!

Oracle 2009-05-04T17:16:20Z Steven Maviglio 2009-04-30T20:19:05Z 2009-04-30T20:19:05Z

California doesn't have the highest tax rates in the country by any stretch. Particularly in upper income brackets.

Steven Maviglio 2009-04-30T20:19:05Z Steven Maviglio 2009-04-30T20:18:35Z 2009-04-30T20:18:35Z

The reason is spending is going up is exactly because of situations like you're in -- more demand for services for folks that cant afford them. More people without health care? More aid for the uninsured. Swine flu? Call in the CDC. More crime? We need more cops. Etc.

Steven Maviglio 2009-04-30T20:18:35Z Jim Knapp 2009-04-30T14:04:35Z 2009-04-30T14:04:35Z

It's time to say enough is enough...California already has the highest tax rates in the country. When it comes to taxation, government will never stop the increases of it's own accord, citizens need to get out and vote no on all of the propositions.

Jim Knapp 2009-04-30T14:04:35Z thsas 2009-04-30T04:03:12Z 2009-04-30T04:03:12Z

I wish there was a law to require government spending to be a net zero game or to result in a negative tax impact. (just like you and I need to do when we spend money. We spend only what we have, or less) Everyday I hear of more spending, more needs, more special interest, more everything. Wouldn't it be refreshing to have a new dawn in America of spending less in govenment? I wonder what it would be like to read stories of how the government found a way to do something better using the same money, or do the same job for less! Our household income has dropped over 50% in 24 months (we are in retail of big ticket durable goods), and we cannot afford more taxs.

thsas 2009-04-30T04:03:12Z Steven Maviglio 2009-04-30T00:57:38Z 2009-04-30T00:57:38Z

Yep, there's something for everyone to hate in them.

Steven Maviglio 2009-04-30T00:57:38Z Steven Maviglio 2009-04-30T00:57:26Z 2009-04-30T00:57:26Z

Oops. yes I do. NO tax increase is ever acceptable to HJTA.

Steven Maviglio 2009-04-30T00:57:26Z JT Long 2009-04-30T00:16:26Z 2009-04-30T00:16:26Z

I think you mean "unacceptable" on HJTA's stance on tax increases in the fourth graph, but you are right that people are confused and frustrated. It is a no-win situation. They don't like the implications of voting yes and they are not going to like the reality of cuts if they vote no. And even if everything passes, it looks like we still may have to have more cuts. You have a tough job ahead of you.

JT Long 2009-04-30T00:16:26Z George Jackson 2009-04-29T23:39:52Z 2009-04-29T23:39:52Z

Steve, I think these initiatives are hard to swallow for voters, but I hope the Yes! Campaign prevails.

George Jackson 2009-04-29T23:39:52Z