Train Wreck Ahead

Filed Under California, Doodles, Political Participation | 4 Comments

Beware: Train Wreck Ahead

On Wednesday, July 29th, Governor FAIL signed Executive Order S-15-09 that claims:

“the Commission on the 21st Century Economy (Commission), and the Commission has made excellent progress in its review of the existing tax structure and has identified reforms to make California’s tax structure more aligned with the modern California economy”

“the complexity and far-reaching nature of tax reform necessitates time for thoughtful deliberation, careful analysis and public comment”

“in consultation with the Legislative leaders, I will call a special session in September 2009 to consider the recommendations made by the Commission to improve California’s state tax system.”

The Commission is controlled by Gerald Parsky, a stauch Republican conservative and former Chair of the UC Board of Regents.

The work of the Commission is already in question.

Now, consider the following.

The Commission lacks several strong progressive tax system thinkers and advocates and therefore a strong alternative perspective is not being forcefully articulated or given significant discussion. Party-based commissions that split 50-50 between Democrats and Republicans are inherently flawed on a representational level because the California electorate is not split 50-50. (44% Democrat, 31% Republican, and 20% Decline to State)

The Commission’s report will serve as the foundation of a Special Session of the Legislature in the fall. Expected near or around the same time, revenue projections/estimates will be released by the Department of Finance that will most certainly show a shortfall and gap that needs to be filled. The media will report “Revenues Fall Short Again” – “Another Crisis” – “More Cuts Needed?” – “Gov Calls for Major Reform” or what have you.

There will be cries for more devastating cuts from Republicans, then the Governor will come sweeping in with this Special Session saying “We Need Reform” and the Legislature’s deliberations will be based on the Parsky Commission’s work.

No, this cannot happen.

The Legislature, and particularly the Revenue and Taxation Committees in the Assembly and the Senate, need to start NOW in a) conducting hearing after hearing on what the Parsky Commission has already put together, b) bring in experts on tax policy from around the country to provide testimony and c) produce a final report (with or without Republican committee member votes) and publish it the same day the Parsky Commission’s report is released to offer at the very least a stark, progressive alternative.

Without such action, the principal policy making body of the largest state in the Union is going to base their discussions on the work of a Commission that had 7, err I mean 6 meetings, starting at 9am (with the exception of one meeting at 1pm) and is too biased, skewed in the favor of the few.

Jul

10

UC Merced Here, Now, Forever!

Filed Under California, Central Valley, Education, UC Merced | Leave a Comment

I am furious. I think I am beyond furious by a recent article in the Merced Sun-Star reporting that 23 UC San Diego professors suggested we shut down UC Merced.

The people of the Central Valley worked long and hard to advance the argument over several decades on why the region needed a public research university.

Influenced the leadership of the Board of Regents throughout the years to usher the dream into a reality.

Persuaded state and federal public policy makers on the merits of investing in public higher education.

Hired a top-notch staff, led by Chancellor Carol Tomlinson-Keasey, to make certain the soil would be tilled, the floors plans would be drawn up and construction would begin and continue.

The very idea of shutting down a university is outrageous but my full fury is not directed at 23 misguided professors, rather its focused on the Governor and less-so on the Legislature because I believe the elected leader of our state is ultimately responsible for whatever happens.

The Governor has shaped the discussion by claiming the May 19, 2009 election results were the people saying “no more.” No more taxes, no more borrowing.

He successfully shaped the debate which has limited an entire range of options because people assume what he says as political reality then debate within whatever political reality is remaining.

The budget deadlock and fiscal crisis has undermined our ability to invest in what matters most. We are forced to look at options which are detrimental at best and disastrous at worst. This is the direct result of the Governor unable to view, discuss, debate and decide within the maximum range of options. Eliminating debate at such a critical time in California’s history is unacceptable.

But no matter. Our university in the Great Central Valley will withstand adversity and flourish here, now and forever in the cradle of California, the bread basket of the world. Unequivocally, UC Merced is Here, Now, and Forever!

Jul

6

Governor FAIL

Filed Under California, Political Participation | 2 Comments

California is in shambles because of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

He wants to blame the legislature, the Democrats, the Republicans and everyone else for the collapse of our state and the destruction of our future.

Every day that goes by, we see inaction, we see deadlock, we see our Golden State and its people suffer from all the aliments of a recession.

But the greatest problem Governor FAIL has created and is perpetuating each and every day is that of uncertainty.

The uncertainty of not having a state budget, of not having the resources to prepare for the year ahead and of not being able to provide for our long-term success is debilitating and destructive.

While people are unemployed, families are losing their homes, youth and students are being packed in K12 and shut out of higher education, Governor FAIL wants to sit in his jacuzzi, smoke a cigar and laugh like this is all a good joke.

How does cutting funding to education solve anything? How does attacking working people and working families solve anything? How does allowing California’s Future to burn at the stake solve anything?

He has failed; he is the new definition of fail.