Protecting the California Dream

Since my first campaign in 2003, I have stated that we need to restore fiscal sanity in Sacramento.  The existing political machines have proven incapable of doing the right things for the Citizens of California.

Fiscal Emergency Declared for 2008:

How did we get to this point? 

In 2003 we had this same problem, which resulted in our recalling the Governor.  Basically, politicians repeated the exact same mistakes from the dot.com bubble in the housing bubble.

We did not learn from the past.  Rather than anticipating a future reduction in State Taxes from the housing bubble and restraining spending to a sustainable level, our elected representatives have increased spending by an unbelievable 44% in 4 years since the recall.  The Governor and the Democrat Legislators insisted that the budget was balanced and just a few short months latter a fiscal emergency is declared. 

California’s current two year budget deficit is ~ $20 Billion This ‘Budget Crisis’ is a result of uncontrolled spending in Sacramento, not insufficient revenue. As of 2006, we had ~55 Billion already on the State credit card. From 2000 through 2006, California State revenues increased 25%. This increase was more than adequate to cover the 21% increase in population and inflation.

Most people I have talked to across the State agree that for the additional money spent, they do not see improvement in the quality of life or services they receive.

Roads and traffic congestion are worsening State College tuition and fees are increasing. Vital Emergency Services are being cut.

Additionally, the state legislators:
• Raid our local City taxes
• Cut our local school budgets, even with large increases (7%) in the State school budget!

WHAT CAN WE DO?
California Independent Review conducted an investigation. CIR made recommendations. The recommended changes need to be fully implemented. Governor Schwarzenegger’s originally had a good reform plan; however, he has backed away from one reform after another, caving in to outside pressure and special interest groups. When he actually tried to do something, ever 200 Million was spent on the political equivalent of tarring and feathering him.

Limit spending
We need a real spending control Constitutional amendment. This will address California’s spending problem and holds public servants accountable for expenditures and their own oversight. These changes need to be implemented in spite of opposition by the public employee unions.

Remove all loopholes and exceptions. California's Constitution currently limits the growth in spending to population and inflation increases, but it allows so many exceptions that it is not a true limit. All exceptions must be removed other than a 2/3 vote by the citizens of California.

Prioritize funding. Police, Fire Departments, and Schools must be funded first, no exceptions. A common trick used by the state legislators is to first fund low priority programs, then, say there is not adequate funding for Police, Fire Departments and Schools. Then, a bond measure is called for, which is the same as taking out a loan. If additional funds are leftover, the lower priority projects could be funded, or a measure placed on the ballot for the special interest programs. As United States citizens, we pay our rent and mortgages, utilities, our children's school expenses and daycare before we go luxury shopping or for a night out. The State public servants need to do the same.

Cut Waste
Find and eliminate the special interest group and pet project programs, which will result in savings of billions of dollars.

Require competitive bidding on all services provided to the State. Would you pay more money for a household service which a competitor could provide at a lower price for the same service?

Reduce the Size and Limit California Government Growth
Combine and streamline overlapping government agencies. There are many overlapping government offices. For example, the Board of Equalization and the Franchise Tax Board provide the same services. Combined together, would result in greater efficiency and reduce costs.
Address the public workers pensions, benefits and retirement funds, which cost more than we taxpayers can provide.

The ‘Paycheck Protection’ Measure would have been a first step to reducing special interest groups from buying the government for their own benefit. Go to www.limittaxes.org for information. See how you can help.

The most expedient way to implement reform is to replace your State Legislators that are causing these deficit problems. Our current assembly representative, Betty Karnette, was a part of the dot.com bubble big spenders.  She was re-elected and ended up a part of the housing bubble big spenders. 

Will voters in this district vote in another big tax payer’s money spender, or will they elect a good steward of their money?  That will be left to be seen, as I promised before and do so again, I will be the candidate of Fiscal Responsibility.

Send Donations to:

Michael A. Jackson for State Assembly

P.O. Box 8609

Long Beach, CA 90808-0609

or Contribute Here (Donations of all sizes welcomed)