Schwarzenegger Terminates California
On Tuesday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger gave his State of the State address. He finally acknowledged what everyone in the state government has known: under his leadership, the state of California has once again plunged into a servere financial crisis.
As you may recall, Schwarzenegger became governor when Democratic Governor Gray Davis faced a looming budget crisis caused by the collapse of the electricity market. Schwarzenegger, with smoke and mirrors, delayed dealing with the budget debt. Now his credit card bill is coming due. He is faced with the very same challenge that he accused Gov. Davis of not solving. He is faced with a $15 billion deficit, $4.3 billion due to balance this year’s budget alone. He and the Legislature have 45 days to come up with a solution.
Schwarzenegger’s solutions are, not to raise revenue, but to slash the badly needed public services such as education, Medi-Cal, adult and child protection services. So, the Terminator has decided to pick on the elderly, sick, frail, children, and students to balance his deficit spending. What a profile in courage.
The Democrats have pledged to fight Schwarzenegger’s attempt to balance the budget on the backs of the poor and needy. They are devising a plan to reduce spending, not with a butcher’s axe, but surgically remove waste from the budget. In addition, they are looking at ways to increase the state’s revenue which makes a tax burden fairer throughout the state.
It will be a battle because the Republican Caucus members pledge to fight any tax increase, intending to rely solely on budget cuts to solve the state’s fiscal mess. We have to help our state representatives fight for our basic education and health care. If you have an interest in protecting the sick, poor and elderly, contact your Assemblyman Sandre Swanson, tell him you support his efforts to protect our schools, children and elderly from the Terminator’s attack.
And do not think that the Indian Gaming pact that many are pushing in the “Get Out Of Jail Free Card” for Schwarzenegger to generate enough revenue to balance the budget. In the February 2008 primary, there are three Propositions, numbers 94 – 97, that supporters claim will generate billions of dollars to aid California’s ailing budget.
Don’t be fooled by the false promises of these ballot measures. If these propositions pass, they will not generate the revenue claimed. This one-sided gambling pact will benefit only four of the state’s largest 108 tribes. These Big Four, all located in Southern California, are trying to maximize their own revenue, not revenue for the people of the state. If successful, these propositions will usher in the largest expansion of gambling in U.S. history. The authorization of 17,000 new slot machines in Southern California would be more than the 12 largest casinos in Las Vegas combined.
These propositions are a sham for producing revenue. It allows the big four to calculate their revenue and determine what they will pay the state, without any type of oversight or audit. Imagine how much taxes a department store would pay with no government oversight. This will dramatically lower payments to the state’s general fund by as much as 60% percent. This give away of funds will hardly help California in its budget crisis.
It will also assist the big four gambling tribes in their quest to deny health care benefits to their workers. The care of worker’s then becomes a burden on county health care system. It makes absolutely no sense for these casinos to take in billions of dollars from the public, yet not provide their hard working employees basic health care and benefits.
Also, Propositions 94 – 97 would exempt the big casinos from building, construction and other regulations under the California Environmental Protection laws (C.E.Q.A.). As a result, they will be able to expand and operate without any type of government or public review, control or concern for impact on our environment. Imagine the environmental nightmare this will cause. This is clearly not good for California.
Now is the time for you to exercise your right to vote and have your concerns heard. California is facing a $14 billion budget crisis. The Governor proposes that we balance the state’s budget on the backs of the needy, the sick, the elderly and students benefiting from public education. Now is the time for you to contact your state representatives and let them know that you oppose the meat-cleaver cuts in the state’s budget.
If you fail to vote, then you and your children are the losers in this budget battle. Now is the time to help your state representative like Assemblyman Sandre Swanson, fight these crippling cuts.
Also, exercise your vote to end this false hope of Propositions 94 – 97. Do not be fooled by the offer of nickels will cost the state millions. If you fail to exercise your right to vote and voice your concerns, then you have no one to blame than yourself.
So contact your assemblyman and tell them you support Mr. Swanson’s fight on your behalf and vote NO on Propositions 94 – 97 your families’ future depends on it.
Clinton Killian is an attorney in downtown Oakland, an Oakland resident, a former Oakland Planning Commissioner and a candidate for Oakland City Council. He can be reached at: (510) 625-8823 or email: clintonkillian@yahoo.com. Website: www.clintonkillian.com
