California needs a two-thirds majority to pass the budget. The hard-line
Republicans, who are already doing poorly with the public, looked bad.
After long delays, six Republicans offered to support a vicious budget,
with modest tax increases on matters that left business and the wealthy
unaffected. Republicans required that the Legislature agreed to put a
number of very restrictive budget referenda on a special election. This
strategy was a brilliant success in tripping up the Democrats, who
mostly supported the measure, while both anti-tax forces and most unions
opposed it.
Besides, if Prop 1A had passed, the state would have to put funds into a
rainy day fund, which would have provided a tempting target for future
tax cutters.
All but one insignificant measure that affected legislators' salaries lost.
The media played the election is if it was a resounding victory for
anti-tax forces. Even more cuts will hit education and the poor. And the
Democrats will have no alternative to offer.
--
Michael Perelman
Economics Department
California State University
Chico, CA
95929
530 898 5321
fax 530 898 5901
http://michaelperelman.wordpress.com
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