California Gov. must control spending

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger waltzed into the state capital with an action-packed guarantee, but since fulfilling his first promise of repealing the car tax, which cost the California treasury a whopping $4 billion, Schwarzenegger hasn't done much more than former Governor Gray Davis to fix California's ever-growing budget deficit.

Instead of raising taxes or cutting more from special programs, the state has decided to keep borrowing until we cannot borrow any more. Gov. Schwarzenegger attempted to pass a budget-balancing legislation that would impose a spending limit on the state. He backed down when confronted by Democrats, according to the Sacramento Bee, and instead of passing a spending limit, California's voters passed Proposition 58, a budget-balancing measure that did not actually force the budget to be balanced.

Schwarzenegger realizes that fighting with legislators is not the way to get things done, and so he has had to compromise or change some of his original ideas in order to get bills passed.

He knows that he will have to get along the Democrat-controlled legislators in order for any substantive difference to be made. This is a smart move on his part, but more must be done to reverse the financial mess we are in.

No one wants taxes to be raised, especially since we are already living in one of the most expensive areas in the nation, but there aren't many options left. Instead of increasing the deficit or slashing money from education and the arts, taxes should be raised just enough to start paying off the debt. After much of the debt is paid, then California can cut taxes again. The idea that cutting taxes, especially for the corporations and the wealthy, will trickle down to the rest of us is absurd. It didn't work for Ronald Reagan, it isn't working for President George W. Bush and it won't work for California. This is a difficult time for Californians, with the whole nation in debt, and California as well.

We need to open our minds to the greater picture, and make some sacrifices for the whole of the country. Unfortunately, that usually means'cuts to the arts, larger classes and other educationally funded programs. When this happens, it is the poverty-stricken communities that suffer, because in wealthier areas the community and parents can make up for the funding schools don't receive. There should be a way of evening out funding to schools so that poorer communities don't lose out any more than the wealthy schools.

Schwarzenegger still has a lot of opposition to deal with up on Capital Hill. Democrats and lobby groups will disagree with the cuts. The governor has a difficult choice to make, since legislation will reflect directly on his popularity in voter polls. Schwarzenegger's current spending proposal would limit all spending starting in the summer of 2006, and does not incorporate the predicted 20 percent growth. Summer 2006 will be tough times for Californians, but there aren't many other feasible options. California will have to cut approximately $10 billion'in projected spending.

Another area where he can change California policy is government spending and worker pensions. Obviously the government needs to spend less. One way to do that is for all government workers, including state and county workers, to sustain slight pay cuts. The pensions for these workers could also be slightly less, and government spending overall can be slashed to the point where workers on capital hill are extremely watchful of every penny spent in the name of government, That money can then be put towards the debt and that could cut a chunk out of our deficit. According to Daniel Weintraub of The Sacramento Bee, county managers have had to cut other needed programs in order to pay for the retirement of former state employees.

That just isn't right.'If former workers need to take a slight decrease in pay, they should understand that the impact will help the state in the long run. Unfortunately, no one wants a pay decrease, especially former employees who deserve every penny of their retirement.

Our governor, who appears so decisive in the movies, needs to step up to the plate and make these choices for California, to save the economy that allowed him to become governor. As students, we can make our voices heard by writing to our representatives and letting them know that we think reducing California's debt is important, for now and the future. The contact information for California representatives can be found at www.leginfo.ca.gov. Simply type in your zip code and let your legislators know that we are willing to accept higher taxes and less government spending to get rid of the deficit.

And with this last call to action, The Online 49er wishes you and yours a wonderful holiday season.