Fixing California: Let’s hear from you

With the state embarking on yet another voyage into uncharted waters -- this one its worst budget crisis in living memory -- the thoughts and insights on fixing the state from Californians from all walks of life, across the political spectrum and all along the economic ladder have never been more important.

Here at The Times, we are creating a space to make this discussion happen.

We will seek out the views of eminent persons from here and across the country -- successful businesspeople, political leaders, college professors, experts in finance and governance -- but they certainly have no monopoly on achievement or wisdom. The state’s predicament is so great that its solution demands the broadest possible discussion.

Do we have a spending problem or a revenue problem? Are illegal immigrants part of the problem, the whole problem or part of the solution? Are the state’s civil servants overpaid or underappreciated? How do we balance the need to control spending with the need to invest in the future via public schools, Cal State University and the University of California? By preserving those institutions’ enviable stature while keeping them affordable for the next generation of leaders in business, government, engineering and culture?

These are only a few of the issues that must be debated today. We welcome your thoughts. Please post your comments below.

-- Michael Hiltzik

Here are recent articles about California's budget problems:

Wanted: Profiles in Courage (Jun. 1, 2009)

California's problem is spending? That's a myth (May 28, 2009)

A state trapped by fiscal inertia (May 24, 2009)

Schwarzenegger missed his golden opportunity to give Californians the truth (May 21, 2009)

Opinion: State of denial (March 3, 2009)

Comments

[A Rothman]

No ballot initiatives that require the issuance of bonds should be allowed on the ballot during lean years. I still think its ridiculous that CA voters passed a bond for stem cell research. The state has no business funding this type of research. On top of that, this proposition was passed in a year when the state had financial difficulty. The voters simply don't understand that in order to pay for $3 billion, the total cost after interest will be closer to $5 to $6 billion. On the one hand, voters don't want to pay taxes. On the other hand, they want services and their pet project propositions.

[stew]

so far as I am conceredn the state maybe even the country has not felt the sting of the economic down trun as many of us have lived in our every day lives before any of this started?
I went to DMV to pay my fees to discover there weretwo tickets on the family car. It was a budget buster for me. Do you think DMV will take a payment or two? ABSOLUTELY NOT ! Whent the state gets to the point that some of us are in, where we need consideration from others? Then I will feel the state gets it? Because right now? The state has tapped the taxpayers out and demands more. Such are the things revolutions are begun.

[David U]

You will get all sorts of comments and most of them will be from people who think they have the answer to the states fiscal problem.
Most of them will not have read the budget to see where the money actually comes from or what it is spent on. Many believe Prop 13 is responsible, and it partly is due to the 2/3 requirement for any new taxes. However, 88% of the budget is mandated to be spent on specific programs due to a constant stream of initiatives that have been passed by the voters over the years. These initiatives required the issuing of bonds. At the time these issues were passed it appeared that the states income would continue to rise and the bonds would be secure. The state can not file bankruptcy and defaulting on these issues would bring financial disaster to the state. The initiative process has been usurped by special interest and you, the voters passed them. It is not the politicians, immigrants, the governor or high paid state employees that are the cause of the deficit, it is you, the voters who are responsible.

[al huard]

first thing we should do is make the state work for ua andnot us working for them we need to have a roll back on people and salaries no one reaason is for the state to show that there trying to help how many position can we elininate and why the perks on gas and cars all of us have our salaries and we have to pay gas and related wuto expenses these people are not kings

[Miguel]

WELL, WELL, LET ME TELL YOU, DO YOU THINK, IT IS WISE TO SEND CRIMINALS TO PRISON, FOR LIFE TIME, FOR THE THREE STRIKES? CALIFORNIA, IS SPENDING MORE MONEY, ON PONISHING CRIMINALS THAN RE-HABILITATING THEM. DO YOU THINK, IT IS WISE TO FEED THE CITIZEN CHILDREN OF PARENTS WHO WERE DEPORTED? CALIFORNIA, IS SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY FEEDING THOSE CHILDREN THAT MUST BE FED BY THEIR OWN PARENTS. DO YOU THINK, IT IS WISE TO AVOIDING DRIVER LICENSE TO ELEGAL ELIENS? WHEN THEY GET THE PERMITION TO DRIVE, THEY WILL PURCHASE BRAND NEW CARS, AUTO MOBILE INSURANCE, HOUSES, AND A LOT MORE! DISCRINTION, IS HURTING THE ECONOMY OF THIS COUNTRY. CALIFORNIA, AND THE REST OF THE STATES ARE INVESTING WITH THE WRONG PARTNER...CENTRAL AMERICA IT IS NEXT DOOR, IT MUST TRADE WITH IT MORE THAN WITH ANYBOY ALSE, WHY? BECAUSE AMERICA BUYS MORE FROM USA, THAN ANYOTHER CONTINENT. USA IT'S LOOSING THE MARKITING IN THE TERRITOY OF AMERICA, BECAUSE, IT'S ALOWING THE CHINA, AND OTHER COUNTRIES, LIKE GERMAN, FRANCE, ITALY, AND SO MANY OTHER COUNTRIESTO SELLING THEIR GOODS IN AMERICA.

[Matt Felix]

The state in CA is simply too big (I am a Democrat). There is also an inherent inefficiency because of redundancy w/ federal programs.Federal programs in this country are extensive and fairly progressive by historical standards. Why can't Californians depend largely on them? A state is limited in its ability top provide to services because states can not print money. We should take these limitations into acount when setting the budgets and programs. For the most part it is not reasonable for a state to run deficits for any meaningful period of time because of the aforementioned limits. Time to make CA competitive again.

Matt

[theCanimal]

The Government must live within it's means. There are too many government employess who feel they are entitled to a job. The rest of us don't have guaranteed employment, healthcare and a pension!

[Esta Cirillo]

All I can say is that instead of taking away Medical Dental and vision from people over 21 is absolutely ridiculous. The people over 21 are the ones that need it. And speaking of ridiculous even medical dental is pretty bad. That's why you see so many seniors going around without teeth and bad eyesight.
Pretty disgusting state of affairs.

[Rob Howard]

I believe the real problem boils down to a few simple things.

#1. The Ballot Initiatives. I believe they cause more problems than they solve. Prop 13, Term limits, etc etc etc. They whole process needs to go.

#2. Our current Governor and Legislatures are growing more unwilling to LEAD us, their job is to make the tough decisions for us and what is in the best interest in the short & long term. However they are increasingly incompetent, short-sided (no long term vision) because of term limits, and will scapegoat everything to the ballot box. Makes us long for the days that Gray Davis, Pete Wilson, and Willie Brown actually led us.

We need to see that Reaganomics has failed (remember Bush Sr called Reaganomics "voo-doo" economics).

#3. Our state budget system is structurally flawed as a result of Prop 13, if it wasn't flawed we wouldn't have these constant roller coaster budget years. We need to throw it all out & start all over and put our State tax code on a stable base. Since our economy is more of a service economy, rather than industrial as it used to be; we need to add those service sectors to the tax base. Need to change the code so out of state companies doing business in CA tax pay their share as do CA based companies.

#4. This goes back to the ballot initiative process, but we need to stop telling the State to issue bonds to pay for something. If we want something, we need to learn that it is in our best for our wallet & State stability in the long run to pay for it once (tax) rather than borrow through bonds (pay for at least twice), thus saddling & tying the hands of Legislature down the road w/ more of the budget servicing debt.

It's not fair for the poor to bear the brunt of the budget, everyone should shoulder some of the burden.

Jerry Brown was right about the effects of Prop 13, it just took a longer for the problems to come full circle.

[MICHAEL WHITE]

Well, here's an idea, have both the Republican and Democratic parties in the legislature place their version of the annual budget up for a vote. That means there would be two budgets the voters would vote on and the budget with the most votes wins. The budgets submitted to the voters must be balanced, have no borrowing and include either tax increases or spending cuts or a combination. It should also list all the programs the budget funds. This way, the voters can directly determine what is important and what is not.

[mr simon]

Get rid of all the illegals, stop all services for their illegal kids!!!!!!!!!

[callaway]

there is nothing wrong with the california budget..they r (arnie) DOF ,and DPA,r making it appear as tought we r in a gloom and doom situation but,that simply is not true. the truth of the matter is that certain people want to destroy the unions and cancel social programs . you have to look outside the box .does arnie really look like this is bothering him. hell no he could careless. all this budget frenzy is nothing more but just smoke and mirrors....this is the same thing pete wilson tried to do.but failed.....so little arnie is the right heartless person to finish the job...PS .I know lets ask arnie to borrow some of his millions and also all his buddys to balance the budget... we promise we will pay it back.

[Ladydiodes]

The government should work within their budget. I know that I have "x" amount of dollars coming in and that is all that I can spend. What California government is doing is playing a shell game. Spending more than they have and they really need to cut out the dead wood in the system. Way to much government waste, but know they want to raise taxes when it isn't necessary. The people of California should clean house and recall everyone and start over. We need to cut the spending not raise taxes.

[Louweegie272]

I don't know that illegal immigrants are the whole problem, but conservative estimates put the cost of their being in California to be any wear between 5 and 14 billion dollars a year. Not paying that would make a significant dent in the budget deficit. The economy that brought these people here no longer exists, they should leave.

[hermosawave]

Nobody wants to pay for the services we need from the state government, so the Governor is slashing and burning. I think most Californians will get the message when the spending reductions hit them up close and personal. Then everyone will realize why we need to spend more.

Ultimately California's problem is a revenue problem. Since Prop 13, which has helped many, many people stay in their homes as they increase in value (including me), California has not had enough revenue.

California needs more revenue, and the first place to start is with a constitutional amendment to abolish the 2/3 majority for the budget.

Obviously we can spend more efficiently and just as obviously there will be things we cannot afford in our post-American Century, but infrastructure, education and parks are things we must have.

[Adam Soto]

Get rid of Prop 13.

Today.

Bring back equitable taxation!

[CJ Roses]

If we are going to get serious about cutting spending (and I hope we do), then we must cut the beneftis rec'd by state employees. It makes no sense nor is there any rationale for their beneftis to be so much greater than the private sector. Public sector\private sector wages are now comparable...

[jay schlock]

We need to get rid of the propositions. Plain and simple. When I moved out of here there were maybe 2 on the ballot, last election there were 14! We elect representatives now lets have them do the job we elect them to do. Maybe then they can clean up the mess we make every election year when the people vote and silly spending programs without the taxes to fund them.

[Thomas M.]

The time has come for new ways of providing for many of the services we need. It is past time for all our lawmakers and the governor to stop thinking tax and raise fees on the "Good people of California" and charge the bad people more. That's right a new set of laws, taxes, and fees for people who can not seem to make good decisions that Good people do. There are millions of dollars that can made off of people who ignore the laws when it comes to tinting front windows on their vehicles. Tax them! There are thousands of people who want to live in the forest and then call for fire protection, tax them! People who cause tracffic accidents which clearly are caused by their ignoring driving conditions and laws, tax them! The time has come when bad people-aka irresponsible and plain thought to all other people around- should be charged for their bad behavior. The time has when good people should stand up and say enough is enough, we no longer want to foot the bill. The current thinking Sacramento and every local government is tax the good people, they will pay it regardless if they require the service or not. Just think of how safer our highways would be once the bad people tax takes effect!

[Steffen]

We have a revenue problem more than a spending problem, although something of both. Everyone claims there is waste to cut (there is) but no one wants programs cut that benefit themselves. I recommend and strongly support the following:

1. Repeal Proposition 13. It subsidizes people who have owned property for a long time at the expense of newer/often younger property owners, distorts commercial and residential land uses (i.e. crummy commercial uses on nice streets that sit there forever), and most of all starves the state of much needed cash.

2. Introduce congestion pricing fees for crowded freeways and roads. Everyone wants to reduce traffic. This can greatly help while generating much needed revenue.

3. Raise the state gasoline tax - even by $1.00/gallon and put some of that money into better transit options for people who decide to drive less. This would also result in some traffic reduction benefits (though fewer than #2 above), but far more revenue as well.

Let's tax the behavior that needs to be reigned in, not behavior that we want to encourage.

[John Hain, M.D.]

California deserves to be the first state to redesign its governing systems by inviting citizens to collaborate by means of wikis. Once there is a consensus about the essential function(s) of an existing or proposed government program or department, the public, especially those being served and those with relevant knowledge and experience, can design and modify the system so that it will operate simply, efficiently, and effectively.

A collaborative wiki approach to making improvements in government can create a more flexible and adaptable system, responsive to the will, wisdom, and ingenuity of its interested citizenry. Who knows, perhaps even elected representatives will become a thing of the past.

[Praetorian]

I think that we need to take a real close look at illegals who may be accessing social service programs with fraudulent documentation verifying their citizenship. I think the number, especially in cities like L.A., is potentially huge. It's like peeling away layers of an onion. You start with the easiest an outermost layer first. An illegal, even if they demonstrate need for a program through age or disability, are by default not eligible because eligibility is contingent upon first being a citizen. I know there will be those who say I am cruel or that I am bashing immigrants. This is not the case and we need to differentiate between 'legal immigrant' and illegal alien. The first category are citizens and I believe we should take care of our own. The second category can return to the country of their origin and obtain the services they need. We can't afford it any longer. That's not cruel it's just reality.

[Kathy Sanders]

I don't think that Ca. will be fixed any time soon as long as Schwarzenegger remains in control of Ca. His ideas of fixing the budget are taking from the poor and giving to the rich or at least letting them keep what they have. In January when people on disability got their cost of living raise, It went through without a hitch until April when all disability patients were informed the state of Ca. would be taking back $36.00 a month. No explanition just that was the way it would be. No indication when it would end or if it ever would. So I guess the United States government gives it to us and the State of Ca. takes it away. I didn't like his movies either.

[Jeremy]

California is unique in how representatives vote on taxes and budgets. Until a new constitution is drafted for California, these problems will continue to exist.

[tkyang]

"Are illegal immigrants part of the problem, the whole problem"

Yes and yes

[markiejoe]

Tax all churches, from the standard mega-denominations down to the kinkiest television evangelist. They've gotten away tax-free while fleecing people for way too long. Tax all religious institutions and, voila, Budget problems solved instantly.

[Dr. Peter Evans]

I'm ( millions of us) are still waiting for LATimes to print (paper and web-site)a front page article on what Nevada's Senate and Legislators have just accomplished. Front Page News, people!

Respectfully

Dr. Peter

[Joe]

Absolutely a spending problem. Economic downturns bring lower revenue for governments, I am surprised our elected officials seems to miss these basic facts. Tax increases never net increased revenue in times like this duh? We have done this before how quickly we forget? Why is that only the government can afford to be so dumb? If every day American's acted as irresponsible as they do they would have a terrible miserable life and their spouses and kids would leave them. I say cut the size of government 50%, we are going to be on our way soon, or bankruptcy will be the next step both at the state and federal level... But will they? Not on your life, its all or nothing for these fat cats.

[David]

No tax breaks for businesses. Realign teacher's salaries with perhaps a state scale rather than district scales. Provide a percent increase to those that work in high cost areas. Health insurance can be provided by an independent hospital rather than shelling out $15000 a year per teacher to Blue Cross. Eliminate small districts and merge them with larger ones. Eliminate Assistant superintendents and curriculum speacilists and the ilk. These are the highest paid people and they do little. Teachers can find what they need online or create and save in a common pool to retrieve from later. Do not need all these extra teaching lessons. Eliminate bilingual education. Students need to learn English. Too much money spent on teacher training and licensing. ETC, ETC.

[Raymond]

Cut, cut, cut, and cut!
Tax, tax, tax, and tax!
Sell more to China, Korea, Japan, and entire Europe. If they don't buy, then we shouldn't be buying their products as simple as that. We have too many stupid naive politicians. We shouldn't be isolating ourselves but we need to tell them to play fair. How many CDs and movies do California sell to China? How much google makes from Korea? What about Levis? Everyone in Europe wears bluejean in Europe but Levis can cost them over 100 USD so they can't buy California brands.
We need balance the budget, trade, and reduce the debt.
This solution is not just for California but entire U.S.

[txdave]

California's problem is too much spending. Politicians need to quit saying investment when they are refering to runaway spending.

[Michae, MPA]

The comment by David U is right on: the voters have passed costly propositions to fund pet projects and/or to tie the hands of the Legislature. However, that begs this question: if the Legislature did it's job, would the people have to pass these propositions? Perhaps not, perhaps so. However, the reality is that we are where we are. Last week, the Times wrote about the State proposing to cut off services for medical testing and services, in part, for illegal aliens. I'm not sure why the State is in that business to begin with. Why now does the State plan to transfer illegal aliens in the prisions to the feds? Why didn't it always do that? At this point, as hard as it may be, I believe that it behooves the state to provide core services only: public safety, corrections, healthcare (for indigent citizens and permanent residents only - no exceptions), education (K-12 through the UC system levels), and transportation. Everything else at this point is gravy that we simply, rightly or wrongly, can no longer afford. It's just the reality. And, in answer to the question posed in this article by the Times - not investing in education - K-12 through the UC system will have dire, negative long term consquences. The UC, for example, drives billions of economic growth in the areas around each of it's campuses; it's likely the same for the CSU campuses. And, they both educate the future innovators that will help CA grow, create jobs, etc. (after all, Silicon Valley is the result of graduates of Stanford and UC Berekely). To be successfull, UC and CSU need well educated students from the K-12 system and from the community college system. What I believe is needed on a larger scale is a change in the US Constitution so that in order for a child born in the US to be a citizen, at least one parent must be a US citizen (no exceptions). Fat chance, but it's an idea. The State needs to reduce excessive regulation on business in the areas of HR (overtime, etc.) - not to exploit workers, but to bring them in line with most of the rest of the US. This would save much money for business and encourage them to stay. The State needs to look at other business regulation as well. Over time, the State needs to reduce taxes (once we're out of this mess and the State is living within it's means), ensure that it always lives within its means, to make it a better place to live and to work; the State needs to reevaluate its overall tax structure to avoid these cash flow issues. Have the Legislature put propositions on the ballot to void these restrictive spending laws (e.g.: undo earlier propositions). A big task. One that our Legislature and Governor should be up for. And, one that our voters should be willing to support if it makes sense.

[Franklin]

Governments usually have a General Fund budget and then Special Funds that are from a restricted revenue source that must be dedicated to a special expenditure purpose. I would like to see breakdowns of both on the LA Times special section.

I would like to see the breakdown of the General Fund budget because it is the part over which the Legislature has the greatest control. First, I want to see how much of the state's revenues are from steady and reliable sources like property and personal property taxes. Then I want to see the percentage of revenue from federal sources that are unrestricted in expenditures. Then I want to see the percentage from unreliable and highly variable revenue sources like income taxes and sales taxes.

I suspect that too little of our revenues come from property tax anymore and too much come from income taxes and sales tax. That would suggest a need to reform Prop 13 to require a more realistic levy of property taxes. (And I say this as a property owner that would pay more real estate taxes.)

Then I want to look at the expenditure side. I want to see the percentage attributible to bond commitments by the voters. And I want to see the percentage spent on discretionary expenditures. These areas might suggest a need to reform the initiative process as to bond programs but not for other types of things like setting policy.

As much as I hate to focus on it, I want to see what is the percentage expenditure on services to the estimated illegal immigrant population, but, unlike the xenophobes in the Republican Party, I want to see the estimated financial benefit these immigrant people bring to the state's economy. There might be some areas where benefits to immigrants could be cut and not adversely impact the economic benefit of those same hard working people.

As suggested by one columnist, I want to see how much of our state budget shortfall would be closed if the richest 1 per cent in the state paid an average of 11% of their income in taxes (the same percentage as the lost income bracket) instead of the average 7% as reported in the Times.

[HELLO???]

Get the illegal immigrants and their ever growing off spring out of this Country. Stop giving them more rights than citizens. I frankly, and tired of having to work my ass off to pay for these blood suckers.
And legalize and tax marijuana. Who are we kidding here? Geez.

[Jules by the beach]

1. "Repeal Proposition 13. It subsidizes people who have owned property for a long time at the expense of newer/often younger property owners, distorts commercial and residential land uses (i.e. crummy commercial uses on nice streets that sit there forever), and most of all starves the state of much needed cash." (Well put! I remember a time before Prop 13 when a public university education was basically free for CA residents.)
2. Stop this insane initiative process. This is no way to run the 7th largest economy in the WORLD!
3. Do not try and balance the budget on the backs of the poor, the ill, the disabled. We're better than that.
4. I like the tax the churches idea, also the tax marijuana idea.
5. Stop electing movie stars to State government. We need competent, intelligent, committed public servants who understand how bureaucracy functions.

[Richard N.]

Some very interesting propositions here. I don't live in CA or even in the US. I live in a 3rd world country. And we would never ever dream of overspending(the budget). California sounds like a voters Utopia. Every major decision to be made by everyone(what does the state government do exactly?)

I say kick out illegals and/or remake the whole taxation system to an image of the the Romans(tax aliens a lot, and I mean a lot). But you won't, you're too nice. Maybe i'll get on a boat and row to CA. You'll feed and house me, right? Maybe even give me money to go to the movies sometimes?

Heres a solution: tax everyone in CA 1% of their worth. The state would be out of this jam in a jiffy. And still have a lot of money to spend, spend, spend...

[jen]

Gas tax increase of only 32c/gallon? What baby steps!
Increase it to $2/gallon, so it matches last year's top gas prices, raise $30Billion. Don't stop at that, coordinate with other budget deficit states to do the same. That would teach OPEC a lesson in price manipulation.

[Paul]

First, the options aren't the ONLY options available. You've picked what you see as viable, include things that aren't legal or probable. Essentially, you've stacked the deck towards forcing tax increases.

Second, cut taxes isn't shown as an option. Why? We know from empirical data that cutting taxes (not to zero) will increase revenue. It seems counter intuitive, but cutting taxes will increase revenue. Cutting taxes will attract businesses. It will help stem the tied of exodus.

Third, not enough attention was paid to the illegal immigrants. They run a taxless underground economy. They need to be dealt with. Ideally, sent back to their home countries, but at a minimum, no services (include education) may be provided through public funds (I can see private companies/foundations/organizations creating schools for illegal immigrant children). They are a DRAIN on the economy as they exist now.

Finally, Californians need to take a long hard look at what are the functions of a state government. What can a government do well, what does it do poorly? Get rid of everything that doesn't belong. It will be hard, because so many are conditioned to think of government as a provider. Those days are clearly over. Cut government down to what it does best and only what it does best. Social services are not what governments do best.

[rich Linder]

Here's one: Donations. set up a recovery fund, and ask for contributions. If we want passable schools, solid law enforcement, basic medical care, road and bridge maintenance, we should be willing to come up, voluntarily, with a little extra, say $100/taxpayer. Start with the millionaires, making it clear to them their wealth has in part been arranged for them by virtue of various tax-codes, write-offs, and loopholes. Next, modify Prop. 13. Add another $100 a year to the tax bill of those who benefit most by the proposition. I would also impose a heavier sin and gas tax, say half again as much as we now pay. Furthermore, all elected and non-elected government employees should take a 5% pay cut, and elected officials should simply not be paid until they compromise: this uncompromising stubbornness is not a sign of strength. It's a sign of stupidity.

[dizzydonkey]

Legalize Marijuana and Tax it...

Release marijuana offenders from jail.

Will generate revenue, cut costs from prisons and from enforcement.

[Steve]

Where was the Legalize and Tax Marijuana? Obama hasn't taken a stance on the issue yet because he wants us as the American public to raise the issue first. He said he won't override the State Laws, so just do it already.

[D K Johnson]

stop voting for everybond measure to fund programs we really do not need or can afford ,curb spending ,elect responsible people to make these hard decisions no new taxs leave prop13alone ,legalize and tax pot instead ! no special elections that cost our state millions! elect governers that can put california back on the right track ! hey whats tom mcclintock up to ?

[Juan]

While we are at it, why not close the door to Koreans who send their old people over to take advantage of the retirement programs offered to the Americans.
Mexican nationals are not the only people who use the system for their benefit.

[DAW]

I believe NON prescription medications/ products should not be covered by medical. Paying for prescriptions or products that are available over the counter is ridiculous. I am a physician and get requests for tylenol, dimetapp,humidifiers, saline drops, pedialyte etc....90% of the time these are completely unecessary but because their insurance provides the service patients demand them.

Children of illegal immigrants should not be considered citizens. One parent must be a citiizen in order for that child to be considered a citizen. State health insurance should require documentation and proof of legal citizenship prior to providing access to regular office visits.
A nominal copay should be charged to medical patients for office visits that are not for preventive care, also for ER visits unless deemed a TRUE emergency. Most patients on medical use the ER for routine visits because they don't want to wait to be seen a day later at their doctors office. They come in for free pregnancy tests to the ER!!!

Charge the pharmaceutical companies for their theivery, why does the U.S. that allow others to profit at the expense of the sick. Insurance companies are thieves...they also profit from the sick and their basic goal is to deny care.

TAX the wealthy, anyone who brings in a million or more a year is wealthy, why does a nurse get taxed at the same percentage as Bill Gates???? That makes no sense. Actually with all the loop holes Bill Gates pays less percentage wise!!!!!

[Brian]

Abolish all propositions.
How can the legislature balance the budget when they can't touch half the spending programs because they were voted in on a prop in a special election on behalf of special interests.
Only allow one election per year. More money is wasted on special elections to find out what we already know, or to channel restricted money to some group who are the only ones voting.

[DLB_Texas]

California is one of our bellwether states and unfortunately for the rest of the union, that has NOT been beneficial. It would be good if this state came back from the far, far outer regions of left field and did some innovative and SENSIBLE things/legislation regarding illegal immigrants who dump the elderly and children on the United States tax system. What if you enacted legislation that was not challenged and re-challenged when over 70% of your citizens had already expressed their views? What if you ensured the integrity of your voting systems by allowing only LIVE, UNITED STATES, CITIZENS to vote? What if you balanced the budget by cutting out some of the frivolous programs favored by those we call "tree huggers" or way out there legislators. These are different from those who are sensibly concerned about enviromental issues. But those who propose legislation in lean years that is not well researched and fiscally responsible....make the rest of the nation cringe when we think that our taxes will go to rescue another fiscally IRRESPONSIBLE entity.

[tyler]

I have read a lot about illegal immigrants being a solution - why isn't this more discussed?

Second - no one is talking about the impact that environmental reports are having, especially in the central valley - people don't realize that farmers are losing jobs because environmentalists don't water water going to farms in the valley because that is less water for the fishes in the ocean - they say that we need to reduce water to farms in the central valley because it is hurting killer whales - killer whales? that is environmentalism gone REALLY wrong - we need to care for our planet - but that is ridiculous. It would cost ZERO dollars to send more water to the central valley...it already flows through there....and it would create 60,000 jobs...

california is messed up

[Ingrid Painter]

Discontinue all services to illegal aliens, ie. schooling,
health coverage, food stamps, etc. I saw people being
signed up for food stamps and told not to worry if they are
here illegally. They will not be reported!
We left Calif in 2006 because we saw this coming!

[jamie Faunt]

New taxes on an already extremely over-taxed populace will not work for many reasons. Instead of engaging all those arguments to which I'd be preaching to the choir to most except perhaps our governor, I'd like to offer what I think would not only solve our budget problems but also improve the quality of life in California. (And by the way, a 15% flat tax would bring state income tax up to half or more of the level of federal income tax. Do they really think we're going to be sleeping long enough to pull that one over on us?)

Outside of violent and blatant crime there are four forms of disrespect for our neighborhoods and general civility that degrade the quality of life in California. They are symptomatic of disrespect for our neighborhoods and general disregard for other people. Penalizing these things would be wholly just and exactly target and significantly reduce the factors that degrade our neighborhoods and help mend the state's budgetary woes at the same time. This would truly be a winning solution for everyone.

What I propose doesn't even require any new legislation because the laws for these things are already in place. They are just under-enforced. The reasons for their under-enforcement are that understandably police need to prioritize bigger crimes than the ones I'm am going to list as needing greater enforcement and increased fines. But if it could be seen that greater enforcement would also provide the money for more police as well as improving the quality of life, it could work on a sustaining basis.

What I am suggesting is to markedly increase both enforcement priority allocation and fines for four types of civil violations for which there are already laws:

1) boom boxes. Usually these are in cars and have become so common that window-rattling thumping and booming bass frequencies destroy peace and any semblance of tranquility in otherwise nice neighborhoods at all hours of every day. The owners of such offending vehicles are beyond numb and beyond rude and beyond arrogant to presume that their thumping should be allowed to be imposed on anyone in proximity and and anyone's peace in their own home is unimportant. Enforcement should not be limited to automobiles because it could be even worse in a stationary location such as a home because it would not be driving by and going away. Some adjustment might be needed to apply it to homes but the laws are already in place for application to cars. They just need to be vigorously enforced and more stringently fined.

2) Litter. I find it rather unbelievable that there are people who will think nothing of littering YOUR and my yard with any kind of discards, but it is extremely prevalent, extremely rude and degrading and needs to be much more severely punished.

3) Barking dogs. I'm a dog lover. But let's face it --- many dogs are too stupid to be watch dogs. What percentage of incessant barking do you think is caused by someone simply walking down the street compared to by a possible intruder? If you've walked down any of most streets in Los Angeles you know the answer. Those dog owners who allow their dogs to bark incessantly --- such as let's say -- over 1 minute -- for nothing --- should be fined heavily. Currently it takes way too much time and action and trouble for members of a neighborhood to quell continuous and incessant barking.

4) Unnecessary honking. Like an incessantly barking dog, when someone is too lazy to get off their butt to fetch someone such as a child in a school building and instead pounces on their horn continuously, they are adding to the noise pollution of boom-boxes and barking dogs and contributing to the degradation of life in the neighborhood.

Just think about what life would be like with no noise pollution and no litter! ---- no boom-boxes, no litter, no yapping dogs and no annoying and unnecessary honking. This would raise the level of civility and reduce crime --- not to mention that greatly improve the quality and pleasantness of life in California. But the fact that vigorous enforcement of these offenses could additionally help significantly solve our economic problems really makes it a no-brainer to completely, immediately and vigorously enact.

No new propositions needed! Let's improve the quality of life and get more money for California NOW!

[Cynical]

Tax stupid and annoying people: (1) tax families for kids failing to become educated, (2) fine people who use cell phones in movie theaters, put their feet up on the seats while using public transit, and/or blame immigrants for every problem in California.

Allow teachers to use corporal punishment to enforce discipline.

Eliminate propositions and term limits; governing by auto pilot has failed.

Legalize, tax, and regulate pot and all drugs. Reduce law enforcement expenditures and question the argument that "people will die" if they don't receive full funding every time they ask for it; increase drug/alcohol treatment resources.

Eliminate boards/commissions that don't do important work but do cost money.

[Cynical]

I forgot one: Legalize gay marriage to generate a whole new stream of business for florists, caters, and churches. Plus, it's the right thing to do.

[Sherry]

Stop pampering illegals ot our expense, and the problem will evaporate.

[JWDavid]

I left CA 30 years ago because it getting too expensive back then, and I returned every so often - during my 20 year military career for temporary duty assignments every so often, and kept seeing it getting worse and worse, and taxes going up and up, I wouldn't bring my family or my business there.

The state needs to run itself like a large family. If my family needs more money - then I go earn it! NOT Steal it which is what taxes that pay for non-essential services are! A tax to pay for a non-essential service is out and out theft.

One of the biggest problems in Government is how the budget is done. If a department, or Division, does not spend it's _ENTIRE_ budget, then next year the money won't be there, so they are encouraged to spend it all. This needs to stop. Each, (I MEAN EACH), representative of the people in their jobs needs to stop spending excess money.

A State employee should have not only the right, but be encouraged, maybe with a monetary reward, to stand up say (for example) "We're broke - why are we putting up (or upgrading or replacing) whatever. (Street signs, bulky computer monitors, - you can all think of examples) Why is it that wherever, whenever you go to state institutions they all have flat screen monitors. It's not for space savings, they took care of that by getting rid of the file cabinets.

Even more - why is the state even buying computer equipment. Thousands of perfectly useful computer systems are being thrown out by _US_ as we upgrade our home and Private enterprise work systems. So many that thrift stores will no longer take this stuff as donations. The government doesn't need to buy it, they just need to agree to dispose of it. The money saved from buying new equipment will more than pay for an IT group to refurb these systems. And the left-over unneeded system, could .... ohhhh Go to schools, or be sold cheap, to go into the general fund - without being a tax burden.

Every state employee should be encouraged to find ways to reduce their budgets, and if the savings a legitimate, and substantial, they should be rewarded with a percentage (After the savings are proven - say two years).

Let the spenders find the savings, and reward them for their efforts. There is so much waste in government because if they don't spend it they lose it. Encourage them to find ways to break their spending habits, and find alternatives to get the job done. If only 1 in 10 do so, the shortfall will be dramatically, if not completely reduced.

[Frogs]

We dont have a spending problem???? Hello, what plant are you on??
We have the second highest tax rate, only behind New York. The more we tax, thats just a reason to spend more. Free health care for Mexicans, free education for Mexicans, free school lunches for Mexicans...Let say we just spend money on US California's poor. Let the state workers, unions, get the same pay, ect. as middle class workers that are non goverment, union just for starters. Wake up!!! Stop crying we need more money, because it will never be enough!!

[Larry Stillwagon]

They should be looking at the "Fairtax" not a Straight or Flat tax. They could follow what Missouri is moving towards. It is one of the best ways to capture lost tax revenue from those people that are paid in cash. It would also get rid of corporation taxes and bring new businesses to the state instead of driving them away. New Businesses equals new jobs and additional money spent in the state by employed people.

[Peg]

Interesting that discontinuing services to ILLEGAL immigrants isn't even presented as a choice! we can propose to cut services to those who came here legally (and I would, because they promised to be self-supporting or a family member promised to take care of them), but I'd also be out there checking ID at hospitals and schools.

[Malby]

Miguel: THINK, IT IS WISE TO AVOIDING DRIVER LICENSE TO ELEGAL ELIENS? WHEN THEY GET THE PERMITION TO DRIVE, THEY WILL PURCHASE BRAND NEW CARS, AUTO MOBILE INSURANCE, HOUSES, AND A LOT MORE!

ROFL. Yep. That's it. Give driver's licenses to illegals because then they will purchase brand new cars AND insurance. I don't know what drug you're on but it must be amazing.

[JOhn]

Are you people nuts?

Solution id easy.

What do the experts say would be California's royalty from drilling offshore?

1 Trillion dollars

What our deficit?

40 billion

There's your answer.

How stupid can California enviors nuts be?

[Polecat]

First, I would cut the Legislature's budget by 80%. If you have no money to spend, you don't need a bunch of staff people sitting there trying to figure out what to spend money on. Then, I would reduce the Legislator's salaries to that of the Governor ($1.00) until they eliminate the deficit and produce a balanced budget.

[Jan Husman]

Californians are too materialistic. Higher taxes on all non-essential services and goods, i.e., fancy cell phones, texting, gas guzzlers, oversized tires and rims, large blue ray t.v.s, alcohol, soda with sugar, candy, etc.
Crack down on illegals.
Limit Medi-cal payments for pregnancy, delivery to 2 children.
Leave other social service programs alone, or enhance, i.e., Adolescent Family Life Program and Cal-Learn save the state millions of dollars by preventing 2nd and 3rd pregnancies, preventing birth defects, STD's,assisting teens to complete high school and go on to college.

[John L.]

The top income earners in this state (making 2.3 million a year or more) pay only 7.4 percent of their income in tax. The bottom income earners (those making 12,000.00 a year) pay as mucn as 10-15 percent of their income. I keep hearing how raising taxes on the wealthy will drive business out of California. I have yet to see any proof or evidence. Maybe taxing the wealthest (movie stars, real estate moguls, tycoons, etc) may seem like it wouldnt generate that much income but the symbolism of having those who benefit most from our state doing more of their fair share to share in the pain has a certain appeal to the sense of fairness. Beyond that I would like to see the California Highway Patrol pared way back. They are basically worthless and leave large stretches of state highways unprotected, then set traps to generate revenue from average citizens in strategic spots. Another place to target are the Child Protective Services, in which arrogant social workers can harrass parents who aren't really doing anything wrong, and can harrass them with legal impunity. Cut these agencies severely. Another place would be the bloated salaries of the UC and Cal State University and Community College ADMINISTRATORS and REGENTS and even the professors, who make way too much money for the amount of work they do. Examine the salaries of ALL the heads of each each agency and bring them into line with what the median income for all Californians is. They don't need 100K+ salaries and being allowed to live like grandees while the rest of us can't find a home, a job or the next meal. Another proposal is put prisoners to work doing jobs that are currently done by illegal immigrants and stop paying for expensive state programs that cater to illegal immigrants. Especially bilingual services and special perks that average Californians don't get. Another area of cuts should be the State legislators: why do they get to drive 50,000 dollar automobiles around and get fat salaries for messing up our state with their poor quality work done?

These may sound like drops in a bucket, but they all add up and the areas I pointed out are significant loads of 'dead wood' that could be pared out of the State budget.

[ed]

In June 2007, there were 2,299,116 people incarcerated in federal and state prisons or local jails. The nation's prison population grew by 1.8 percent over the previous year
the goverment spends $97,000 per prisoners to walk around with cell phones , tvs in thier rooms and to lounge around all day. Why dont we atart treating them like criminals and make them work?.. make them pay thier own way. and get rid of thier luxuries..... its suppose to be punnishment not vacation

[Mindi]

You don't mention all possibilities, such as
(1) legalizing personal possession of marijuana, licensing business to sell it, and taxing it.
(2) Getting rid of the death penalty.
(3) Making all drug possession for personal use charges misdemeanors.
(4) Raising car registration fees back to where they were before our governor reduced them.
(5) Closing at least 1/2 of all DMV's.
Put these on your site as possibilities and I'd bet that I can get my deficit down to zero without touching education or health and human services.

[chris]

In 1997 the state spent 70 billion, in 2008 it was 140 billion, if you cut what we are on schedule to spend in 2009 by the current deficit, we would STILL be spending 105 billion.

THAT IS 105 BILLION!! All you people who think the government is being starved, seniors/poor are going to die, schools will close, and 911 will be shut off, need to start looking at the numbers for yourself and demand to read news/opinions from professionals.

These LA times analysts are amateurs. They want you to believe you aren't taxed, and if you spend a week or two looking at state budget summaries over the past 12 years and track your own wages/taxes; the true depth and scope of these state spending lies as perpetuated by the LA times and others will become apparent.

[L Hart]

Where is the income statement. Surely we cannot be expected to balance a budget without knowing what the actual income is and ALL of the expenses are. Seems we are only getting one piece of the pie. Do we really need to cut entire programs or can some parts of the programs be preserved while unnecessary ones are eliminated. Interesting as this was, I think this was rigged to fail from the get go.

[Edith]

tax people using freeway, except carpools

[Amanda]

The answer is easy-- raise income taxes across the board. It has to be done and is the only equitable way to cover such a massive shortfall. Apply all tax overpayments to the next year's return--no more refunds during deficit years. The governor was a fool to refund fees at the beginning of his term. Also stop the stupid and expensive referendum process. It's not worth the cost! And repeal Prop 13 and ease property tax increases in over five years. Duh! California does NOT have the highest state taxes in the country. We don't pay enough when you consider property taxes!

[Rachael weiss]

How can you take this ridiculous Actor seriously....Shame on the people that voted for this idiot....

[R.McCue]

We are in this mess because the people of the state have created it. Initiatives that were too simple, Legislators that gave people what they asked for, but didn't make them pay for it. A system of government where almost every functions is duplicated at every level. An illusion of local control when every initiative has given more power to the central government.

There are many effective ways to deal with this crisis. None of them are simple. None of them are easy. I would prefer to do a complete rethink with a new constitution and complete overhaul of the statutes. That requires trust, though, and trust is something we seem to no longer have.

[Alex]

Raise high income tax bracket, albeit temporarily, to 15% and 20% rather than to 10% and 11%.

[tax4fun]

taxation of wealth is good one because the demand elasticity for the wealthy to remain in california is such that they won't leave so quickly. Just like smokers, tax the addiction...

[NoProblem]

No problem - just CUT CUT CUT to get the budget balanced. VOTERS HAVE SPOKEN - NO NEW TAXES.

[Peter S]

Every department, every program, every subsidy, everything, I mean everything will be cut proportionately and equally by $24 billion. Each department head is responsible for cutting their expenditures so that by the end of this month, the $24 billion gap has been filled. Sorry to be the bearer of the bad news, but it least it is the truth. And the truth hurts. Now here's the caveat--by doing it this way, how much wasteful government spending will be cut out as well? I can't wait to see the results.

[RV ACLAN]

There have been talks on budget cuts on all fronts but we must not forget these politicians are being paid by California's working class. It is unfair to cut services on education, health care and social services but they should share the blame also. What a shame that these people receive perks such as pork barrel funds, allowances and incentives for working in the state legislature. Eventhough these are hidden figures entangled in our budget deficit conservative deductions on these entries make a difference; I give a lot of praise for those politicians doing their job to keep their districts running but for those who are not turn your perks in!!!

[Paula Montgomery]

I agree with Michael Hiltzig that California should tax the oil companies. In other countries the government just plain took over (nationalized) the oil companies so that the country could reap all of the profits. While I do not think the government should take over the oil in this state, I do agree that the oil belongs to Californians -- not just oil companies. Taxing them is a much easier way to get some of the profits for the state. The downside of taxing them is that production would fall because some operators won't be able to make a profit. Therefore, I suggest that we let the oil companies drill off-shore California and tax that too! That would turn up the production and make California richer. We would also be depending less on foreign oil. I know most environmentalists would be against that but I think they've been riding on memory of the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill too long. There have been many improvements in the way oil is produced and delivered. The possibility of a spill is just another risk we have to take. Some people complain that the off-shore oil platforms in the Santa Barbara channel are ugly. I think they add to the ambience especially at night when you can see the lights on them. Get real --California can't afford not to get tax revenues from our richest resource - oil!

[LaughingTarget]

How very cute, the LA Times conveniently hand picks the most politically difficult cuts and ignores the vast bulk of the California State budget.

I have an idea, give us the ENTIRE budget, line by line. It will be very easy to cut expenses, especially when spending programs, like the Senior Legislature, grants, studies, and other useless programs are culled. I bet you could fix the budget without even touching the highly questionable handouts to illegal aliens and freebie medical programs.

Also, stop high balling the taxes, the state is losing companies and jobs because California already has high taxes, raising taxes even more will just shove more jobs out of state, resulting in a net revenue loss.

My suggestion - look at Texas. There isn't a recession there, maybe it's high time to start looking at and mimicking success.

[G.J.]

Its time for a fair tax and that means taxing everyone at the same percent ..we need to stop driving the ones with money from the state when those are the ones who supply the jobs and pay most of the taxes anyway..the only real revenue left in the state is the prison system that is overcrowded and flawed..and instead of taxing big business try giving incentives and cuts so they stay here..Try legalizing gambling in certain ares like they did in New Jersey..there are plenty of things to do with out raising taxes one dime..try turning the freeways into toll roads even if you charge a one time fee of 10 cents to get on .the budget would be balanced in a week,in fact we would have a surplus..

[Fred]

simple solution. move out of California. Thats what I did. Now I live in a better area and pay less taxes, and have nice smooth paved roads to drive on. There is no law saying you have to live in California....just move out of there ASAP!!!

[Fred]

what's the big deal, i just balanced CA budget in 3 minutes using that dodgy web based tool. 'twas easy.

[Salvador Ruiz]

Look, tax alcohol by a quarter a drink not just a nickel. This will rase almost 3 billion. Make pot legal and tax it. This is way over due and is ignorant not to do so. This act alone will free up space in the prison system, court time, and get rid of dealers and reduce crime that is related to dealing. This will raise approx 4 billion. These idea's along with the suggestions that I made on the State budget balancer will give our state a surplus that we can redirect into some areas we had to cut in the first go round such as education.

Respectfully.

Salvador

[Zack]

This is not just a budget problem it is a legislature problem. Our state government is simply wildly incompetent.

They should handle the budget the same way a family has to cut everything that there is not money for, yeah it will be tough but that should teach us voters to vote these idiots out and get some real leadership into office.

[spiritual_scientist]

I think this IOU idea has to be followed up, for the benefits it could bring. It's no embarrasssment. If people are willin to trade with these state-IOUs, to treat them as if they were money, then you begin to take back control over your money system. Of course, such IOUs would have to be legal for paying state taxes. And then someone could start a method of moving them about electronically, between "accounts", and hey presto, you have a money system that's now independent of the banks. It's called "Fiat money" from the latin FIAT == LET IT BE.

So, let it be!

[Cosmo]

Do like the federal government does just print up some money. You could put Obama's picture on the billion dollar bill.

[North California Dude]

I do not like the choice that were in our options of what to cut. There should be the oportunity to reduce by 10-20% the size of the state government. This would include ALL state agency's. In this bad economy we all have for the most part have to cutback. Why should the state be any different? It seems they want to reduce money's that go to those that need it the most. Is time I think for the fatkats at the Capitol to put up or shutup.

[North California Dude]

I did not like the option in this method of us to choose from. There should be an option to cutback 10%-20% of all state agencys. It may sound harsh I know. If the state was a private business you have to just simply do what is best for the company. Why hurt those that already are poor and barely getting by? Wait til people stop recieving unemployment. It is not forever. And most would not be able to recieve any county aid either. This is do to like cars they own, if they own a house etc. Not even food stamps could they collect. I feel the worse is yet to come.

[Thalia]

A very large line item missing from that list is closing prisons. California spends $10 BILLION ANNUALLY on prisons, and has committed to another $7.5 BILLION for prison construction. If we just cut that, and make sure that only violent or dangerous prisoners are locked up we can save billions. Literally. Put every small time offender on house arrest. Release all drug offenders except the major dealers, and we close the budget gap.

[GHJohn]

It is sad that what should be first on the list is not even being allowed to be considered: ending redevelopment. This multi billion dollar per year pariah on state, county and local tax revenues has been abused so thoroughly that is hardly ever serves the purpose it was intended - fixing blighted ghettos. Instead, it has become one of the major sources of political corruption as high value land becomes even more valuable as politicians and the established lobbying network create projects and zoning distortions with developers for the sole purpose of raiding these funds.

Then eliminate or severely reduce the salaries of members of boards and commissions - which usually end up as perks to insider friends. Public service needs to be returned to its roots in service to the whole - something it must become everyone's responsibility to, in one way or another, to find time for.

[Steve R]

When you outspend your income, what do you do?

You cut the things that you can, no matter how much you want them.

You pay the bills you have to. You don't spend money on things you don't.

I want to see layoffs. I want to see MAJOR pension reduction. I want to see waste and duplication taken seriously.

Why is our state acting like it's better than the rest of us. Make the cuts, get over it.

[Raffles]

I found it rather easy to balance the budget and even come up with a surplus--cut services to the bone and raise taxes on gasoline, alcohol and tobacco. I didn't raise taxes on commercial property or soak the rich or do anything else that would cause more jobs and businesses to flee back over the mountains.

Of course I don't actually live in California, thank God.

[Em]

The budget would have already been balanced long time ago if Arnold and the GOP would stop protecting the "special interest". Tax the tobacco, alcohol and oil! Maybe less smoking drunks will be off the road because they can't afford the gas!

[Sean in Tampa, Flori-DUH]

I managed to get a surplus of five million dollars, but I had nineteen billion dollars in new taxes...Do you think I can be governor?...I feel for you, guys!...Flori-DUH isn't much better.

[Gus]

This would be my plan

Education -- K-14 funds -- $5.3 billion
Human Services -- In Home Services Fraud -- $ 15 million
Law Enforcement -- Lower-Level offenders -- $ 100 million
Law Enforcement -- Early Release -- $120 million
Law Enforcement -- Illegal Immigrants -- $ 180 million
Law Enforcement -- Rehabilitation -- $ 790 million
One-Time Fixes -- Revenue Anticipation -- $ 5.5 billion
One-Time Fixes -- Local Gov't -- $ 2 billion
One-Time Fixes -- Transportation funds -- $ 740 million
One-Time Fixes -- Juvenile Justice -- $ 250 million
General Gov't -- Drug and Alcohol -- $ 310 million
General Gov't -- Offshore drilling -- $ 100 million
Tax Increase -- Cigarettes -- $ 1.2 billion
Tax Increase -- Alcohol -- $ 585 million
Tax Increase -- Corporate Income -- $470 million
Tax Increase -- Broaden Sales Tax -- $1.1 billion
Tax Increase -- Oil severance -- $ 855 million

Deficit: $ -665,000,000
Cuts: $ 15,405,000
New Taxes: $ 9,260,000,000

I know some of these cuts or taxes may have future problems which is why the federal gov't has to do other actions.

1. Make the federal reserve bank part of the United States Gov't and not five private bankers.
2. Freeze all home payments to all the people of the United States to a certain period of time.
3. Pump more money in the system but instead of giving it to the banks, the money should go to the people of the United States depending on how much they make.
4. ...

[Will]

Before I would be able to balance the budget I would need to see a full copy of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports from the last 5 years. When I say a full copy I don't mean a shortened version of the Budget Report which only shows the OPERATING costs for that year. I need to see the TOTAL INCOME, TOTAL INVESTMENTS, TOTAL NET WORTH, TAXES, FEES, FINES, and ALL ASSETS which I see none of these here. All the Budget Report shows are the annual operating costs for that year. So, before I (or anyone for that matter)should cut programs or raise taxes would need to see the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) IN FULL for the last 5 years. Until then this discussion about the budget is meaningless because how could one balnce their own checkbook without knowing how much income they make??? seriously...you couldn't.

[Bill]

1. Go into bankruptcy.
2. Renegotiate unreasonable union contracts.
3. Repeal Proposition 13.
4. Reduce income & sales tax and increase property tax to produce a higher, more stable tax revenue.
5. Reduce the number of state employee's. I'm sure there is a lot of dead weight out there.
6. Social welfare programs that benefit people other than the poor must be eliminated(e.g. children's healthcare for family of four earning $88K)
7. Encourage feds to vigorously enforce immigration laws. State and city officials say it's the fed's job to enforce immigration laws, however when the fed's enforce the laws they complain about it.

etc.

[Joel Pettlon]

Raffles, I would indeed cut the type and amount of aid services. Costs of living vary widely by area here in California. I would adjust aid amounts by area. I would raise standards for getting on some aid programs. I would hire more people to check for fraud in the system and raise fraud penalties.

Some of these are at the Federal level, and so can't be fixed at the state level, but they're still sucking money out of the state that could otherwise go to state taxes.

I live in a relatively low cost (and low wage) area ~$500-650 for 1 bedroom, ~$650-900 for 2 bedrooms and ~$850-1300 for 3 bedrooms. Because of local wage conditions I find that people around here on government aid are living in 2 and 3 bedroom places while people working full-time are often living in 1 bedrooms. I am a partial owner and manager of a considerable amount of property in this area so I know what I'm talking about here. I see and process many of the applications. In a place like Los Angeles, however, the money that would get you 3 bedrooms here might not get you a 1 bedroom. Housing aid money is taken into account in a many different government programs at all levels of government, sometimes overlapping. There are also private organizations doing this sort of thing. All in all, it's too complex to give much of an answer here beyond adjusting aid according to prices in an area.

At least half of the people I show places to that put that they are on disability can get around just fine. There is no reason for them to not be working, especially with the availability, ease of use, versatility, and low cost of voice recognition software nowadays that would let even anyone who can still talk, much less the ones I mentioned before, do almost any computer-related job if they were inclined to. I can understand wanting to help those with disabilities but I would leave it to privately run federally regulated charity organizations that could choose for themselves what levels and types of disabilities justified how much help. Regulators would just ensure that discrimination based on race, religion/philosophy, sex, etc was minimized and watch that donators aren't being scammed.

As far as jobs "fleeing back over the mountains", I'd have to say that the biggest reason for people to be in California, as with anywhere, is the realtor's slogan "what are the three most important things in real-estate? Location, location, and location. Taxes make some difference, but ultimately people have to work somewhere. Usually, that somewhere is a place with a nice climate, scenery, and accessability to services even if they can't afford quite as large a house. When looked at objectively town to town, state to state, country to country, taxes just havn't made as much effect on business location as many people presume. Sure, they make some difference, but losing some of the other things on the list such as putting criminals back on the streets and ending drug rehabilitation efforts would make more difference in lost attractiveness.

[B Supplies]

What a rediculous and bent survey obviously designed by people that want no change. Almost every suggestion is rediculous. We can't end or limit education, especially today when people have actually become stupider. The real answer is going back to the American way of paying for programs, through tax funds that collect from only those who benefit directly. First we need a complete accounting of what we're paying for and where the money is coming from, then, we can make adjustments to balance the budget. We support 5 States worth of Americans... THAT'S a BIG responsibility, we need to act responsibly

[Andrea Freeland]

I agree w/ Salvador Ruiz; tax liquor more (I'd still pay) and legalize and tax marijuana. The hemp grown would definitely benefit the State in more than just the drug use. Paper, textiles, fuel--each of those can be extracted from hemp.

Let's get ahead of the curve.

[Kevin D]

Why not raise a .50/gallon gas tax? We are still at $3,00/gallon now and we were close to paying $5/gallon less than a year ago.
It would provide more options for lawmakers and continue to provide incentive for citizens to pursue clean technologies.

Other things that need to happen:

Cut 40% of the state employees. Corporations have had to rightsize over the past 20 years and automate many business functions. The unions have created a situation where you have protected employees who are not performance based. There are still a lot of great public employees, with less employees you can pay them more based on their performance and bring higher qualities employees into government where they can make a difference.

Change the super majority required to establish a budget.

Fund education and transportation properly. Don't continuously do ballot measures that authorize funds and then keep coming back to the citizens year after year for more money. How much do you need to get the job done? Then ask for it once.

Run government like a business. Don't borrow money you don't have and look to revenue share and other alternative ways to generate revenue other than raising taxes. Think of all of the great ideas that come out of our UC systems, let's get a piece of the pie when one our professors develops the cure to cancer.

Legislators shouldn't just write new laws, they should also repeal or reduce laws that no longer make any sense. We have too many laws/regulations in California, things need to be streamlined that ordinary citizens and small businesses can understand how the government works at all levels.

Hold legislators accountable. They work for us. Re-district, so that the voters can fire the legislators if they don't do their jobs. Currently, everyone is safe so there is no incentive to find solutions because there is no consequence.

[lahabra1955]

I HEAR YOU CUT DENTAL FOR THE POOR THIS WEEK. NOT NICE ARNOLD. TAX THAT ALOCHOL AND CIGARETTS BUT LEAVE MEDICAL AND DENTAL ALONE. CUT YOUR STAFFS SALARY TO 40k

[Gregory Tunnell]

Unions and illegal immigrants have brought this state to the brink. They both must go!!!!