California’s 2011 Budget Stalemate

So just who is to blame for this year’s stalemate on the State Budget? Does the blame lie with the Governor, the Legislature, or California voters?

Last November, 55 percent of California voters passed Proposition 25 which states that if the Legislature fails to pass a budget by the June 15 deadline, they will not receive any salary or reimbursement of expenses until the day a budget bill is presented to the Governor.

…In any year in which the budget bill is not passed by the Legislature by midnight on June 15, there shall be no appropriation from the current budget or future budget to pay any salary or reimbursement for travel or living expenses for Members of the Legislature during any regular or special session for the period from midnight on June 15 until the day that the budget bill is presented to the Governor. No salary or reimbursement for travel or living expenses forfeited pursuant to this subdivision shall be paid retroactively.”

On June 2nd, California State Controller John Chiang announced that he would enforce the voters demand.

Some argue that the Legislature’s passage of a budget bill in March actually met the demands of Proposition 25, and therefore it is improper for the Controller to withhold their pay. It is a fact that $11 billion dollars in budget cuts were agreed to this past March

So who is right?

Unfortunately, despite the budget cuts agreed to last March, we are still $10 billion short of what is required to result in a balanced budget. Proposition 58, passed in 2004, requires that the state budget be balanced – meaning simply that expenditures cannot exceed income.

So do we cut expenditures? Do we try new means to generate more income?

Recently the Public Policy Institute of California conducted a poll and found that an impressive 61 percent of Californians support the general framework of Governor Brown’s plan to fill the budget hole with a combination of spending cuts and new revenues. The poll also reveals an electorate that is still very divided over what those revenues should be.

A majority of voters oppose raising sales and income taxes, but more than two-thirds of those polled support the concept of raising taxes on the state’s wealthiest earners.

A legislative gridlock has resulted. Many lawmakers are refusing to budge on their own beliefs and/or promises that they have made to constituents. Some have even signed pledges promising voters that they will not vote for any tax increases. Yet Legislators are being bombarded from all sides by constituents who are faced with funding cuts to programs vital to their existence. Some voters tell touching and heart-wrenching stories about how potential budget cuts will significantly change their lives for the worse.

The result is a true political conundrum.

Each side of the debate presents strong arguments to make their case. So who should be held accountable if the budget is not passed by the June 15^th deadline?

The easy way to come to a decision is to read or watch a favorite and/or trusted news source. Or you could ask a friend. But can you really be sure that they have listened to all sides, weighed all the arguments? Are they presenting the “facts” to you in a colored or filtered manner to enhance their beliefs and arguments?

The best way to come to a truly educated decision is to find out for yourself what is really being said and what is actually happening. What kind of society will we become if we let others do the thinking and decision-making for us?

This is why we provide unedited, gavel-to-gavel coverage of committee hearings and floor sessions. We allow you to watch and listen to every nuance as Legislators debate the various facets of the State Budget. And we hope that what you see and hear will motivate you to get involved – to make a difference in what will affect you.

There is no question that we will all be impacted by this State Budget - whether it’s the downsizing of the population in correctional facilities, the lack of funding for in-home care services for handicapped citizens, or cuts in education that will be with us for years to come.

Legislators are now faced with the decision of whether voters will be best served with a budget that’s delivered on time or by taking as much time as needed to thoroughly review all budget options. Let them hear your voice – let us keep democracy alive.

To watch exclusive, live unedited coverage of your State Legislature, visit www.calchannel.com, or watch us on your local cable system 24/7.