Jerry Brown makes a case for his budget plan

[alp227]

Source: San Francisco Chronicle

(01-31) 04:00 PST Sacramento - --

Gov. Jerry Brown made the case for his budget proposal Monday evening in his first State of the State address since 1982, drawing parallels between the Golden State's fiscal crisis and the protests sweeping across Arab nations as he pressed Republicans to let voters decide whether to extend taxes set to expire this year.

In tackling the projected $25.4 billion deficit, Brown has proposed $12.5 billion in cuts and an additional $12 billion in taxes, which would have to be approved by voters in June.

Speaking before both houses of the Legislature, Brown said "it would be unconscionable" for legislators to block a special election and warned that without the tax extensions, the state would see even deeper cuts to education and other key programs. He said his budget proposal is the best he could devise and urged those with better ideas to come forward.


Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/01/31/BAL81HGTBQ.DTL

[Ramulux]

1. I think Jerry Brown

might be the only person in the country who understands what it means to be an actual centrist.

[Liberty Belle]

2. Jerry & Dems who control both houses should just RAISE TAXES.

He's 72 and not running again, so who cares if he breaks a campaign pledge? The state is a mess. The ballot measure at best would merely prevent some taxes from expiring, not really solve the budget deficit. There would still be painful cuts to schools, healthcare, services for the poor and everything else we care about.

Taxes for the rich and corporations have gone down in California from the days when REAGAN was Governor. Tuitions are sky high and everything has been slashed to the bone and beyond.

RAISE TAXES on those who can afford it, Jerry. If you won't, please leave the state and let Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom sign a budget that doesn't kowtow to the slash and burn Republicans!

[Democat]

3. Jerry might want to raise taxes, but those politicians who are running again will fight him.

Doesn't matter which party.

[zalinda]

4. They might pull a Gray Davis on him n/t

[mike_c]

7. +1-- Brown should GOVERN, not balance the budget on the backs of the poor....

There is plenty of wealth in this state. More than enough to balance the budget and continue social programs for the poor, sick, and for children.

[on point]

5. Decriminalize drugs, drop the drug war, pardon the prisoners, save a few billion

[rpannier]

6. I think he should begin cutting the budget where people voted for Prop 28 and move from there

Modoc County is one of the most anti-tax areas in California, yet they receive a bundle of aid.
If they don't wanna pay then they should get nada