How would you fix California's budget disaster?

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Monday, May 25, 2009

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By DAN ROSS
Register Online Editor

Prop 1a coverage

ADD YOUR THOUGHTSOK, so voters decided to send a message to California Legislators by rejecting propositions 1A through 1E, and also send a message by passing the mostly symbolic Proposition 1F.

Whether you are among the 28 or so percent who did vote Yes or No -- or whether you are among the majority who opted to stay out of this election -- there is one basic question for you.

What do you think needs to be done to solve the mess California is in right now?

139 comment(s)

kbf wrote on May 20, 2009 11:05 AM:

" A couple of things could be done:
The lottery money that is suppose to go to the school classrooms should be done not give it to everyone in the school district, also it is hard but deny any services to illegals. All the police and firemen contracts should be redone across Calif. "

mypoint wrote on May 20, 2009 11:26 AM:

" I would enforce the immigration laws and not be teaching English as a second language classes. "

i4aneye wrote on May 20, 2009 11:37 AM:

" i would start by restructuring caltrans. i wouldnt eliminate any jobs but i would send less workers to the job sites. too often you see workers just standing around doing nothing. i worked on the benicia bridge and the amount of wasted time i witnessed would make every tax payers face turn red. i would estimate that 20% of the cost of that bridge was in wasted labor. "

yvonne wrote on May 20, 2009 11:39 AM:

" Eliminate all the "commissions" first of all that we pay for, like the Coastal Commission, etc. Eliminate the perks like cars and lunches for the representatives, no one pays for my car expenses or buys me lunch every day because I am doing my job. Make them pay for the perks they receive out of the great salary they receive. Don't pay them if they don't show up for work, they should be required to work 40 hours plus like the rest of us. "

noblindershere wrote on May 20, 2009 11:52 AM:

" I agree that the police and fireman contracts need to be redone. 20 years and your done and you have a nice pension, not really affordable to our state right now. I don't see teachers getting the same pension for 20 years of service and the jobs are comparable in stress, but not education.

Also,
Do people believe that we are teaching native spanish speakers in Spanish? We teach in English unless they are attending a Charter School where it is an immersion program taught in both Spanish and English to native and non native speakers. A school flyer might go home in SPanish to help in communication to parent's but better communication is what helps the student become more successful.

Scary to think that people are going to start pointing the finger at certain populations when the economy gets tough...takes me back to an era in history where a certain regime(Hitler) blamed a certain groups(Christians, Jews, gays, handicap) of people for their country's misfortunes and 10 years later millions were dead.

Do not blame our state's misfortunes on anyone but ourselves,businesses, legislators, lobbyist are to blame for this mess not "illegals" alone.

The tax burden lays heavy on property owners in California, but those property owners employ illegals...back to Econ 101, the push/pull theory is quite evident. If there were no job opportunities for people to come to America then they would not be here, but we employ people for cheap because we want to make more money for ourselves. So, turn to the property owners that employ illegals for your answers to our states crisis. "

Rob C wrote on May 20, 2009 11:56 AM:

" Across. The. Board. Cuts.

It's the only thing any of those politicians will understand, and is immune to special interest wheedling. "

cab e-girl wrote on May 20, 2009 12:10 PM:

" Start with eliminating services for illegal aliens. If there are migrant workers here working, they should have to pay into a fund for migrant "health" services, so that the costs are spread out. Children born in this country to illegal immigrants should have to go through the same legal channels as their parents to become a citizen.

Eliminate all the "new" top paying positions the current administration has created in the last two years.

Consolidate small school districts.

Repeal some of the "special services" that only serve special interest groups.

Renegotiate the prison guard retirements, benefits and pay structure.

Renegotiate firemen and police retirements, benefits and pay structure.

Cut the time spent and pay of our state politicians from full time to half time, so they can't create a bigger mess than what they have already done.

Create a business friendly environment for small and large businesses so that we put more people back to work. "

UncleStuy wrote on May 20, 2009 12:21 PM:

" Transfer all illegals in State Prison to Federal Prisons or pay the State of California to house THEIR prisoners. Remove and elminate all multi layer management positions in the UC system (Director, Manager, Lead). Encourage State employees to report fraud, waste and abuse without retailiation, reported to third party out of the State control. Change the State law loophole, of semi-trucks, delivery trucks and the like, registerd out of State to obtain a permit to drive on California roads. Includes trailers. Money collected will assist with fixing our state hiways and up keep. Eliminate welfare, food stamps, any form of funds to illegals or non residents. Sell California State property that is NOT being used by the State, ie Napa Expo, Dixon Fair Grounds, Cal Expo and the like. Arsonist would be required to pay the State of California reimburshment of all funds to fight the fire they started, after conviction, includes garnishment of wages, IRS and State income tax refunds. "

selim wrote on May 20, 2009 12:32 PM:

" 1) Constitutional Convention. Rewrite the state's constitution. Remove the 2/3rds rule for budgets and taxes.

2) Sunset clause on all propositions (especially 13). No more propositions. Make the legislators do their job.

3) Release all nonviolent drug offenders from prison. Decriminalize marijuana for heavily-taxed sale in specially-permitted establishments. The state controls the growth of commercial marijuana.

4) Rewrite all contracts with State corrections agencies. Cut the costs agency-wide by 30% and cannot increase annually more than the statewide CPI.

5) Reinstate the VLF. Increase the tax on cigarettes $2/pack. Increase statewide gasoline tax $1/gallon. Increase all liquor taxes $2/750ml.

6) Implement a State tax of 30% on outgoing international remittances.

7) Decriminalize casino gambling in the state. Tax heavily.

8) Cut the state income tax rate 10% for those making $25,000 - $99,000.

9) Completely gut the State worker's comp system. Rebuild it to work on rates 25% lower than they currently are. Lower worker's comp rates will encourage more small businesses.

10) Increase payroll tax 5% on H1B hirings. "

steph wrote on May 20, 2009 12:35 PM:

" The mother load of waste, fraud, and abuse!

Check this out:

http://www.caltax.org/publications/waste_fraud_mismanagement_highlights_2009.html

But nobody's listening.

Or, are we?

(I wonder how I can get myself a job on the Avocado Commission??) "

post-it wrote on May 20, 2009 12:36 PM:

" stop the use it or loose it budget and spending philosophy. Do not penalize agencies with lower approprations becasue they did not spend the allocation it the budget year. Reward them for saving money. "

steph wrote on May 20, 2009 12:37 PM:

" Cut the UC Regents' budget, pronto:

http://www.caltax.org/caltaxletter/2009/051509_fraud.htm "

napa1984 wrote on May 20, 2009 12:42 PM:

" I agree that the immigration laws need to be re enforced. Alot of our money end uo helping them when they are here illegally. Go about things the right way.
I remember russell crow on thi stopic, he had a damn good idea on how to get out of debit. "

danmonez wrote on May 20, 2009 12:42 PM:

" Across the board cuts are the coward's way out. It doesn't shrink government it only makes it more inefficient, "across the board". Instead, they first need to decide what are the essential services that can only be provided effectively at the state level. Much of what the state does is duplicative of what local government, non-profits, or the private sector does or could do a lot more efficiently and effectively.

Secondly, they need to eliminate or combine agencies and departments that are redundant with others in the state. There are dozens of these.

Thirdly, eliminate the politically appointed commissions that are simply political spoils. For the most part any real work they do could be or is done by staff.

Finally, they do need to reign in personnel costs with every new contract up for negotiation.

If you put 8 or 10 critical thinkers with no political aspirations or debts to pay in a room, with a couple of accountants, I bet that within a couple of weeks they could balance the budget without significantly threatening education, public safety, or local funding.

But the politicians seem to always start with threatening deep cuts to services and programs that affect the masses rather than special interests. Because the masses aren't organized and the masses don't make huge campaign contributions, but special interests do. It is a very sad situation. "

steph wrote on May 20, 2009 12:45 PM:

" More fraud and abuse. Take your pick. All very interesting. None of the remedies involve firing teachers at my kids' schools:
http://www.caltax.org/waste/waste_decadeof.html "

y2kcbr wrote on May 20, 2009 1:17 PM:

" To quote Peter Tosh: Legalize It! "

steph wrote on May 20, 2009 1:20 PM:

" danmonez for Congress! "

John Richards wrote on May 20, 2009 1:22 PM:

" a) All governmental employees (including teachers, police, prison guards, etc.) should have their salaries and pensions reduced to the average pay for equivalent jobs in the other 49 states.
b) All services to illegal aliens must be stopped, including the teaching of 'English as a second language'. Lay off all bilingual teacher's aides. Stop translation/printing of official documents (including DMV tests) into languages other than English.
c) Sell the rights to drilling for oil off the coast to the highest bidder.
d) Increase the tax on gasoline by $0.50 a gallon, and use the proceeds to improve our roads. As a side benefit, that would help employment for construction workers. "

skeptical wrote on May 20, 2009 1:25 PM:

" I agree with Dan about eliminating duplicative services, but they should go a step further and eliminate services that are provided by the federal government. Get rid of agencies like the Division of Aeronautics and let the FAA handle aircraft issues, eliminate the need for state permits from Fish & Game and Water Quality Control if you have to get approval from the Army Corps of Engineers, etc. "

kbf wrote on May 20, 2009 1:31 PM:

" English as a second language is being taught in the schools. Napa Valley Language Academy teaches half day in spanish and half day in english. Kids need to read and write their name, address and phone number when entering kindergarten, they should have some understanding of the english language. Trouble with that is the parents don't speak english. Been there, see that. If the children can't speak english as a english speaking child they don't go to school until they do. "

jway wrote on May 20, 2009 1:36 PM:

" Legalize marijuana, obviously!

Legalize the production and sale of marijuana to adults and make the state as friendly as possible to visiting tourists.

It's ridiculous to spend our scarce tax dollars enforcing a prohibition that benefits no one when we could eliminate our deficit without the loss of a single job.

Force drug dealers out of our schools, end the power of the cartels, eliminate the budget deficit. Call your legislators today! "

jsjammu wrote on May 20, 2009 1:37 PM:

" All the suggestions are good. I would say let's start by selling San Quentin prison to a private developer. It's worth Billions since it sits on prime bay area real estate. Follow Arizona's example of putting prisoners in tent cities in the middle of the desert. Make them work to lay roads or what ever state pays others to do just like Fire Fighters use prisoners to help clear brush and other assistance in state, counties and cities. Cap the police and firefighters to $100,000 in salaries regardless of the hrs they work. If you are an illegal immigrant and someone is holding taxes out of your check they should go to the fund that pays for the services they use. I know from working in the county gov't is that most people think they get services but they only get emergency Medi-Cal in a life threatning condition not for colds and flu's etc. Cap the law makers salaries to $100,000 and no perks. No state cars and no claiming mileage. That would be a good start. California can also provide benefits to people in need based on federal regulation instead of special interest state rules. For example Texas provides Food Stamps and Medi-Cal after someone has been in the country atleast 5 yrs which is federal standard. California provides coverage as soon as someone steps of the plane. "

nogrooveinsolano wrote on May 20, 2009 1:56 PM:

" My five words sums it up: Pack up and move out.
Ain't nothing said, 'cuz California's dead (aplogies to Curtis Mayfield here.) "

cab e-girl wrote on May 20, 2009 2:35 PM:

" okay steph, now even I am a bit taken back by the fraud.

For all of you crying over cutbacks, a bit of advise before you embarrass yourselves further. Go to the caltax web-site to view just a small fraction of the abuse being perpetrated against the citizens of this state.

I like the fact that this information is getting out to the public and the abuse is finally being exposed. It's going to take some time to undo the last 30 years of government greed and corruption. Our politicians and bureaucrats are nothing more than common thieves that need to be fired and shunned from our communities, not to mention doing some time in prison.

While I wasn't impressed with most of Selim's suggestions, I kind of liked his #3 (need to research more from the law enforcement side), #9 and #10. I like suggestions from i4aneye, yvonne, Uncle Stuy, Steph and Dan Monez. "

ampsthelena wrote on May 20, 2009 2:46 PM:

" There is no "sound bite" solution to this problem. Folks, we need to talk about class, wealth, and the influence of both upon government.

There is enough money and wealth for all our needs and most of our wants. But the present system has us fighting each other over crumbs, while most of the pie ends up in very few hands. In many cases (not all), the present distribution of wealth reflects neither real contribution to the economy nor moral right.

I don't pretend to know how to go about re-distributing the wealth in a more rational and just way, but can anyone can really argue that the present concentration of wealth in such few hands is justifiable or desirable? Until we find a way to re-distribute the wealth (either in some way that maintains "small c" capitalism, or in some way that introduces certain socialist measures, or both), we'll always be fighting over crumbs, finding scapegoats (e.g. illegal immigrants), and letting the ruling class keep ruling unchecked.

Some scorn the notion of "ruling class". I myself don't like the "sound" of it. But, can we really doubt there is one? I don't think it's monolithic, always clearly defined, or all-powerful. And I certainly don't think everyone in it is "evil". Some are kind and generous.

It's the economic system itself that is the problem: the ways that it tends to funnel wealth into ever fewer hands, and the ways that such wealth draws power to itself--both economic and political. There's enough wealth to meet all our needs. Much of it is simply in undeserving, exploitative hands. "

Rob C wrote on May 20, 2009 3:06 PM:

" Cowards way out? My vision may be simplistic, but Dan your vision is pure chimera and you know it.

There are only cowards in the majority in Sacramento or they would have stopped rolling-over for special interest government expansion and fixed this debacle long ago.

Who are these 'they' you refer to and what incentive do 'they' have to do more than basically borrow and prevaricate solutions until 'they' can punt this mess back on taxpayers at some point?

Will 'politicians' eliminate 'political' positions? Or do you expect voters to submit to long laundry lists of line-item cuts and tax propositions? Yes, 'across-the-board' is a blunt trauma tool, but while crude it is effective.

Are there really 8 or 10 "critical" thinkers with no political "aspirations" in all of the kingdom?

And pray tell who would appoint them? "

John Richards wrote on May 20, 2009 3:17 PM:

" kbf wrote: 'English as a second language is being taught in the schools."

How did immigrants before that manage? I'm an immigrant from a non-English country, yet I had no trouble learning the language on my own. Are you insinuating that the current crop of immigrants is not as smart as the ones that came before? "

Jay Jacobson wrote on May 20, 2009 3:25 PM:

" I am also impressed with the quality of responses here. For all the people who want to terminate a state workers retirement or other benefit. You are canceling an existing contract.
You can not do that. If that happened there becomes no legal system. If you suspend all (Government?) contracts you have no government. And where does the authority come from
to suspend the contracts? From the government. Obviously there is no logic here.

We, as a people, have to do the hard work of forcing our system to be accountable. The constitutional convention (which someone else suggested) should start with forced
transparency. Then, all the people of the state can (and will) systematically sort out the real needs from the political pay-offs.

And, Dan Monez for congress! "

mike wrote on May 20, 2009 3:57 PM:

" Make the goverment work for the legal residents of our state. I wonder what part of ill-legal don't they understand!
In our school system they have a secartary for the administrator and the secrarery has her own working under her. Eliminate perks and freebies we have a caltrans worker living on our block who brings a state owned car home. I agree go by a state construction project and you will see alot of shovel leaning going on. Napa might check this problem out for it's self.
Let's face it this state is top heavy with adminastrators if I were given the chanch I would "CHOP FROM THE TOP"
Oh Yes Dan Monez for congress sounds good to me he was the only top cop we had with the guts to fire a bad cop. "

Rob C wrote on May 20, 2009 3:58 PM:

" I dunno, Jay, government just trampled investor rights to give the UAW - a very junior debtor, priority rights to the carcass of Chrysler over the senior rights of bondholders.

Why didn't the administration just buy it out of chapter 11 and give the remains to the UAW, like the rule of law provides?

Maybe because the quid-pro-quo would seem a little too brazen even for Obama and Gettlefinger?

Rule of law doesn't seem so important anymore, now does it? "

kbf wrote on May 20, 2009 4:16 PM:

" I was refering to noblindershere. They sounded like the schools wern't teaching in spanish and they are. The current illegal immigrants arenot learing english because they don't have to except for the kids. We cater to the illegals at every turn. My grandparents came over from Germany and learned english on their own like you because they had to or not function in society. I appalud you as it should be.
Bravo to Dan Monez, I like the way you think. "

steph wrote on May 20, 2009 4:37 PM:

" Amp--
Not interested in having politicians legislate the redistribution of wealth.
Thanks, but no thanks.
I don't have the right to anyone else's wealth, and I don't need it. Don't want it, even--no matter how mega-wealthy they are.
That's the point here, anyway. Taxpayers said "No" to escalating confiscatory tax policy that takes from the earners and gives to the state, who all too often gives to people who didn't earn it, whether they be welfare recipients or greedy contractors, or grossly overpaid commissioners.
So, no thanks. Not interested in your type of fix. "

alucawanza wrote on May 20, 2009 4:38 PM:

" JR
Lower teachers' salaries to the average of the 49 other states. How about lowering the cost of living here? Check out the salary schedule at the NVEA website. Do you know what a starting teacher makes?

I think the casino idea is great. One should be built at Napa Pipe. A big Las Vegas style casino with top name entertainment. Tax it and others. People would come here before going to Nevada. The weather is perfect, and there are so many other touristy attractions in both north and south California.

The idea of putting people to work on cutting redundant parts of the budget and government is an excellent idea. Give some red pencils to a couple of business teachers.....They know mistakes when they see them. "

enapa wrote on May 20, 2009 4:40 PM:

" End all "services" that are non essential. We only need schools, fire departments, and police. We do not need anything else. Roads can be built and maintained by private construction companies. Illegals can go home. Invalids should be taken care of by their own families. If they don't have any family find a privately funded charity to take care of them. Stop letting the government control your life and do something for yourself. "

steph wrote on May 20, 2009 4:41 PM:

" cab e-girl, isn't it just outrageous, after reading about the fraud and waste that takes place in the state, that the politicians who oversee these bloated bureaucracies are telling us we just have to fire teachers and firefighters?
I'm happy that the voting taxpayers see the through the ruse. "

cab e-girl wrote on May 20, 2009 4:42 PM:

" Jay Jacobson- While I agree that a contract is a contract, local and state governments cannot sustain the agreements made to the unions and organizations that represent these government employees. When United Airlines went bankrupt, the PBCG took over their retirement, because there were no resources to contractually pay the retired employees. These former employees were forced by the bankruptcy court to accept about 30 cents on the dollar. It would have been wise for the unions to renegotiate the salaries and benefits so that United did not go into bankruptcy, they chose not to. American Airlines employees however agreed to accept lower wages to keep American out of bankruptcy. Much wiser in my opinion. If local governments go bankrupt, no one wins. It seems to me these labor groups would want to settle on something reasonable as opposed to accepting what the courts give them. "

steph wrote on May 20, 2009 4:42 PM:

" This would be my advice to politicians and other so-called "public servants" with regard to tax money:
Spend it like you earned it. "

kevin wrote on May 20, 2009 5:45 PM:

" Wow. There are some really scary suggestions out there. Some of you are actually to the Left of Obama.

Let me put my "Liberal" hat on and see where we can "raise revenues":

$1 tax on a cup of Starbucks coffee.

Double that if it has whipped cream or chocolate in it.

$100 tax on ipods or anything made by Apple.

A service charge to use libraries.

10% surcharge on organic fruits and vegetables.

$1000 tax on all electric cars and hybrids.

A kilowatt surcharge on all home solar generating systems and wind machines.

It may not balance the budget but at least the "pain" would be spread around "fairly"... "

littlered56 wrote on May 20, 2009 5:50 PM:

" Stop English as a second language in all schools. Limit the number of adminstrators per school per capita of students.Deport all illegal imagrants in state prisons to thier place of birth. Reduce retirement to 70% of salary for police, foremen and state employes to a reasonable retirement. Turn Alcatraz into a Hotel/Casino with all profits going to the health and education of california's legal residents. Offer amnasity to all gang banger who leave their gangs and join the National Guard. Provide training simular to that of US Marine corps. Give them a change to grow some self respect and self esteem. Deport any gang member who is illegal immagrant.Start a new lottery for all california's seniors housing.
Grade teachers just like you grade students. All teachers to have renewable contracts no more tenyear(sic)??
No more auto expenses, no more state provided cars, no more travel expenses and no more pay raises with out balanced budget.
I drove to San Rafael from Napa daily to work for 12 years. My Husband to SF for 10 years and no body gave us cars to drive or expenses paid we paid our own. "

napablogger wrote on May 20, 2009 5:58 PM:

" I think most Californians realize that the government has gone nuts with spending, spending that we don't really need or is unfair.

The legislature persisentently tries to cut the people at the bottom and not deal with those at the top who are getting all the money and are the real problem.

The employee unions are basically running the state to their own preferences, and until that gets turned around we are going to go downhill. "

les wrote on May 20, 2009 7:20 PM:

" Not sure if you folks know this but the US Supreme Court made several rulings that require schools to teach English to non English students. The state doesn't control that but has to comply with the US Supreme Court ruling and fund it. Prop 227 required that students be taught "primarily" in English. Most districts as part of the budget cuts are reducing the number of ELD classes and mainstreaming non english speaking students. That is one reason all the districts are requiring all teachers to be certified to teach English Learners. "

antipc wrote on May 20, 2009 7:50 PM:

" Well Selim, thanks for sharing your annual salary, vices, dislikes, & non-compassion for you fellow Californians. "

antipc wrote on May 20, 2009 7:59 PM:

" Here's a good place to start cutting.

The Texas Legislature only convenes every other year & regular sessions run from mid Jan through the end of May.

Sorry for the duplicity but this post really belongs on this thead.

Hey can I get paid twice for duplicity since CA does? "

kbf wrote on May 20, 2009 8:00 PM:

" You go littlered56, "

antipc wrote on May 20, 2009 8:04 PM:

" Now Kevin, you wouldn't want to overburden the intellectuals with costs that should be born by the peasants. "

reason-ator wrote on May 20, 2009 9:28 PM:

" In normal times, knowing immigrants that are not here legally, I would rebel at the thought about making things tougher for them. After traveling to England :-), I have a lot of respect for people who can come to a foreign country with a foreign language and try to survive.

And I know this is the land of oppotunity, and a country of immigrants, but

These are not normal times anymore. We can't even pay for ourselves anymore, We certainly can't afford to give away our tax dollars to those that are determined to come and take our state away from us. I feel bad even thinking that, but I can't igore the reality anymore. I know it's kinda closing the barn door after the horse got out, but it has to be done.

No illegal immigrant should get any money before the citizens and legal immigrants do until we have a budget surplus for a few years running. I'm sorry, and I hate to say it. We can't be bankrupt benefactors. "

littlered56 wrote on May 20, 2009 9:31 PM:

" Excuse me, long ago when I was in elementary school at the old Intermediate School on Jefferson Street, we had ww2 war refugees from Poland, Russia and Germany and Italy .Futhermore we had people from Mexica and Portugese. Guess what all our teachers spoke English, and nothing else in our class rooms. Every one of those kids graduated from High School and darn well learned to speak english and they all became respectable US citizens and were proud to be americans.
If it is true the wine industry is responsible for bringing in all the illegals to work the vineyards then my fellow Americans it is time to force the wineries to build the housing and schooling for thier employees. It should not be the countys responsiblitey. How about taxing each winery the cost of schooling these illegals,,and the cost of police work for the crime the illegal gang bangers cause to the cities. I bet you if the wineries thought they were going to be held financially responsible for these illegals they would dance to a different drummer real fast.
Also folks it is way way past recall time for the governator "

crooked6pence wrote on May 20, 2009 9:53 PM:

" "Add your thoughts" - you should change that to "We'll read your thoughts and add the ones we judge to be okay" "

crooked6pence wrote on May 20, 2009 10:04 PM:

" You can't get more inefficient than the way things are run right now. I have
had state employees brag to me about how they could do their 8 hour job in 5
hours, even less! That's a 37% potential cut right there for State employees
across the board.

They wouldn't survive a year in the private sector where every minute counts
and has to be justified through results.

The gravy train is over and I can't wait to see some real change. Police
forces will be the first to hit the chopping block.

If Stockton can cut 55 police officers imagine what Napa could cut with a
fraction of the crime.

Can't you tell the Napa Police are in fear of losing their jobs? Just look
around you when you drive in Napa these days.

I have never seen the NPD more motivated to pull young males over, get them
out of the car, and get their "consent" for a search. Where is the ACLU when
you need them?

They don't have time to respond to vehicle break-ins, yet there always seems
to be 3 patrol cars ready to assist with simple traffic stops - a glaring
example of inefficiency at its finest! Remember that 37% waste?

Get rid of them, hire more teachers to train and educate the youth. The
crime rate will go down, less prisons and jails will be needed.

Of course this requires long term vision and patience... something that is
in short supply these days." "

Calistoga_Tony wrote on May 20, 2009 10:06 PM:

" Remember PROP 187. It was 1994, it was also known as the 'save our state' initiative. It said NO to social services to illegal aliens. The people spoke when they voted and passed it.

Then a wise (trying not to laugh) federal court told the CA voters to drop dead and overturned it. So billions are spent every year on illegals. WIC, Welfare, Section 8, translators, free legal, jails, prisons, education, too many to list.

Now all the bleeding hearts can choke on the 21 billion dollar gap in our budget. Remember liberals, what you think is the right thing to do, isn't always the BEST thing to do. Waiting for the state to totally collapse. "

whizbang wrote on May 20, 2009 11:22 PM:

" John Richards If you had police, fire and teachers have the same salary as the other 49 states, they all would be at or below poverty level, therefore not living in the high cost of living of California but living out of the state. YOu would no longer have police or fire folks that would choose to live and work in California

noblindershere I have worked in public safety for 32 yrs, and still am not old enough to retire, so I don't know where you think all law enforcement/fireifghters only work 20 yrs and then retire. I also pay 8.25 % of each of my paychecks towards my retirement, which goes into my own retirement account, so the City/County/State is not paying totally for my retirement.

If you look back into history, politicans were NOT paid to be a politican!! This has only come about in the letter part of the 20th century. Elected officals (politicans) prior to that had jobs to return to if they no longer held office. What a novel concept, a politican now a days with a real job!

Elected officcals also did not have a retirement paid by the taxpayers either until the latter part of the 20th century.

I would quit paying the politicans and all the frills they currently have, especially since they can't even get a budget passed on time. That would save the State millions. "

John Richards wrote on May 20, 2009 11:49 PM:

" Jay Jacobson wrote: "For all the people who want to terminate a state workers retirement or other benefit. You are canceling an existing contract.
You can not do that."

Nobody said anything about terminating retirement pensions for state workers. We just want them lowered to the average of equivalent workers in private industry. As for authority to do so, I believe the governor can declare a state of emergency, which then gives him the authority. "

70*SAV wrote on May 20, 2009 11:50 PM:

" How else *Legalize Marijuana* "

Jmo wrote on May 20, 2009 11:52 PM:

" I stop reading what I think will be good constructive comments when I got to Noblinder. I stopped going forward because. Noblinder’s comments are worth a second read and perhaps more. "

John Richards wrote on May 20, 2009 11:53 PM:

" "we have a caltrans worker living on our block who brings a state owned car home. "

Yep, I frequently see city workers who live in my neighborhood drive a city vehicle home, sometimes even for lunch breaks. There is waste and abuse everywhere. "

napablogger wrote on May 21, 2009 1:03 AM:

" John and Jay, all it would take to lower pensions is a constitutional amendment, like the ones we just voted on. We could even put a cap on pensions being currently paid out of Cal Pers, again with a constitutional amendment.

The state government can do anything it wants if the will is there.

A lot of people in the private sector have had their pensions cut.

I am not so sure that overall illegal aliens are costing us as much as people think. They don't consider the fact that they do a lot of work for lower wages thus contributing to the economy by lowering business costs.

Right now with unemployment high perhaps they cost more if they are drawing social services and not working.

I also don't think so many illegals are working in the wine industry, (which pays a lot of money toward housing and services for farm workers btw), as people seem to think. Most of the ones who do are seasonal and are here during harvest only, without family. "

abouthetruth wrote on May 21, 2009 4:22 AM:

" I agree with a couple of readers here, they need to eliminate the use of public vehicles for private use; for example: I've seen police cars from St Helena parking in the front of the cop living here in Napa, and many other cops here in Napa park the patrol cars on their houses. i4aneye said a great truth: Cal trans is wasting money sending a lot o people to the job site; one day I was traveling to Santa Rosa on a Sunday and they (caltrans) were sealing the small cracks on the road on a Sunday! I had to stop for 30 minutes waiting for them to go through, the trip took me about 3 hours, on my way back, they were in the very same spot doing nothing... a full crew working on overtime!! how about that? "

cellsitegod wrote on May 21, 2009 5:17 AM:

" Clamp down on illegal immigration.
Between the social services they recieve, law enforcement, court system and prison system.
The state could save millions! "

yerbotherinme wrote on May 21, 2009 6:22 AM:

" Chain gangs. You get time off sentence only for quality and quantity of work, just like the rest of us (we call it vacation time). Road repairs, painting, janitorial, fire suppression, creation and maintenance of trails and parks, concrete repairs, levee reinforcement, pier and dock maintenance and repair, graffiti clean up, the list is endless. "

justhefacts wrote on May 21, 2009 7:00 AM:

" Drill HERE. Drill NOW is a NO Brainer!!Problem solved in less than two years with the cash flow, tax revenues and Good Job creation. But that makes too much sense. And oust Gov. Schwarzenkennedy and The Dem's controlling the State for starters.. Force them to make the Cuts to Balance their Budgets as WE all have to do, Freeze hiring and Cut alot of these ridiculous Liberal programs. Salary Cuts for the Employees and especially higher Ups and Renegotiate the UNION contracts. They are killing California and The Nation..
JTF> "

Sassy1 wrote on May 21, 2009 7:45 AM:

" ? do we pay for the gov vehicle tax license & gas ? so we have to pay more for our own and they get a free ride... interesting thought there "

carter wrote on May 21, 2009 8:01 AM:

" End services for illegals, it is not saving us money.
Tax marijuana, bring back same sex marriages because that was bringing in revenue on marriage licenses and business.
Cut pay on state administrators because they get all the pay but hardly do anything except trying to justify their pay. "

theloki wrote on May 21, 2009 8:47 AM:

" Maybe it is time to rethink Prop 13. Leave it in place for individuals who currently fall under it, but remove the ability to pass it on to another family member (I think it is one time), and ABSOLUTELY remove it from commercial properties. Just think about the income that alone could generate... "

tripnote wrote on May 21, 2009 8:52 AM:

" Step 1. Vote Republican
Step 2. Sit back and watch the clean up. "

livesinangwin wrote on May 21, 2009 9:21 AM:

" I agree with Selim's list in many ways, there are many good nuggets on here. So, if is so clear to the electorate what needs to be done, why are all good ideas lost in Sacramento. Cut spending, cut it now, re-invent smaller government, reduce give aways to non-citizens, reduce education management overhead costs, much can be done. Thank you Napa Register, this is an excellent conversation. "

gateonfire wrote on May 21, 2009 9:27 AM:

" I agree - what part of illegal does this government not understand? The illegals live on government handouts that drain welfare services, education, and health care. Send them back to their own country when they do not pay their own way. California is shameful with its looking the other way at a criminal act - hence illegal. Not only that, they drain our law enforcement funds having accidents they do not pay for as they are unlicensed and uninsured. We pay for that too. Wake Up! "

reason-ator wrote on May 21, 2009 10:05 AM:

" crooked6pence, you're 9:53 post is right on.......

As far as you 10:04 post, I have a problem with you saying that NPD cops having too much back-up. I'm sure the families of a couple of cops in Oakland wish the Oakland cops hadhad a little more back-up when they pulled over that young man- the one who had just raped a little girl and a parole violator who was armed and didn't want to go back to jail. Before then, I may have agreed with you, but not now.

You can probably save money in fire insurance, but there may be a day when you think it wasn't a waste of money, after all. And if you think NPD has too much back-up, check out AmCyn. "

Alter ego wrote on May 21, 2009 11:06 AM:

" To all the posters suggesting raising taxes on businesses and corporations, please stop and think for a minute who really pays those taxes.

You do.

The business has to pass those costs on to the consumer, same as any other increased cost. Or they go out of business. "

crooked6pence wrote on May 21, 2009 11:55 AM:

" All the back up in the world unfortunately will not save you from the inevitable. There could have been 100 officers present that day, and Lovell Mixon may have still killed.

In fact the opposite has been suggested by the Oakland Police Department. Read the following article, with a Police assessment of why it may have happened - the 8th paragraph is very telling:

http://www.ktvu.com/news/19445728/detail.html

In life some careers are risk free, while others are sprinkled with danger. You know and accept that level of risk when you accept the job.

No one likes to see anyone killed, let alone a Police Officer - so don't misinterpret or misrepresent what I was saying.

Although bad things do happen, they happen rarely, despite what the media would have you believe.

Every speeder, red light runner or vehicle code violator can not, and should not be considered dangerous.

Motorists in general are not all armed rapist parolees, and should not be treated as if they are! To think that they should sets a very dangerous precedent.

In 2008 there were 625,880 Police & Sheriff officers employed in the U.S., 134 were killed in the line of duty. 54 were actually killed as a result of a citizen actions. 38 by gunfire. A 1 in 11,590 chance of death by the hand of some crazed maniac.

In comparison there were 287,710 firefighters employed and 114 died in the line of duty in 2008. A 1 in 2,523 chance of death.

Look up the definition of hysteria...

http://www.odmp.org/year.php?year=2008&Submit=Go "

WHY wrote on May 21, 2009 12:13 PM:

" WOW,

Amazing how this heading has everyone hot under the collar and have lost focus on the heading.

First I would eliminate free healthcare to illegals. That right there would cut 2/3 of the deficit in California.

Next the union contracts of all Fire, Prison and Police officers needs to be redone period. A fire cheif in a town of 90,000 making $225,000.

All illegals in prison need to be shipped back to a Prison in Mexico for them to manage. They have lots of open land, this would create jobs for the people of mexico, construction and guards. This would save us Billions a year.

You see we need to hit the big ones first that everyone complains about constantly. Then from there we can tackle the govt. When will we stop complaining about it and actually do something about it. Screw the politicians these guys couldn't operate a 7-11 and make it profitable how do they think they can manage the State. "

HaveFaith wrote on May 21, 2009 12:34 PM:

" I will repeat what so many others have already stated, as I don't think it can be stated enough - Stop the social services to illegals.

And yes, definitely check out the web site Steph posted ealier. Thanks Steph.

http://www.caltax.org/publications/waste_fraud_mismanagement_highlights_2009.html "

reason-ator wrote on May 21, 2009 12:57 PM:

" crooked6pence wrote on May 21, 2009 11:55 AM:
" All the back up in the world unfortunately will not save you from the inevitable. There could have been 100 officers present that day, and Lovell Mixon may have still killed. "

Yeah, sure. He MAY have.
But do you REALLY think he would have killed 4 people ? "

crooked6pence wrote on May 21, 2009 1:18 PM:

" Not if they had waited for the SWAT team to make the entry... "

JimClark wrote on May 21, 2009 1:20 PM:

" The People need to shake off the class distinction between themselves and those they seem to elect. Those who chose not to vote are even more guilty of being a negligent (for lack of another word) citizen.

Are We The People to be guilty of contributing to these financial woes? Only those who can’t cogitate beyond the 1960s would actually “feel” guilty of what arrogance legislators have come to believe The People have an endless supply of incomes. The sophomoric debates regarding the necessity of the United Nations’ existence and the Amendment that created the Internal Revenue Service continues to lack the kind of action necessary to eliminate both. When the Income tax law was put into the Constitution, the law or our land was fouled. Even after the imposition of tax “laws”, some genius a major department store dreamed up the concept of withholding that part of a person’s salary that would be “owed” to the United States Government. The founders saw the extraction of one’s income as an infamnia to the spirit of The Law of our Land.

During the 1960s revolution had some element of romance. Power to the people versus Power to THE People.

It seems to me that all legislators at all levels see themselves as above being equal as citizens. I sincerely hope The People are beginning to understand and will continue to rale against what is slowly relieving us all of our basic Constitutional rights.

More tea anyone? "

Ou now wrote on May 21, 2009 1:22 PM:

" #1 Its a fact that illegals hurt the economy of a state. $1000 fine for every illegal you hire, loss of busness for 3rd offence. Impound and sell your car if you are caught driving while in this state illegal. #2 Tax stamp for pot. Other states where pot is illegal have this tax, If you have over 1 Oz. with out this $100 stamp, You face a $2000 fine or 1 extra year in jail for tax evasion. #3 File for chapter 11. Now we can redo bad union contracts. get rid of Cal Trans and use contractors. #4 limit aids and perks for law makers. Nothing free that the rest of us pay for,cars lunch ect. #5 One $80k administrator for every 175 teachers. 25 students per class max. NO Fed. mandates unfunded by the Feds. #6 Drug testing for everybody receiving Gov. help. loans,welfare,ect. Loss of freebee's if using. NO freebee's for non-citizens, illegal or not! "

mymy wrote on May 21, 2009 3:24 PM:

" I would start with a new governor! "

chunk wrote on May 21, 2009 3:41 PM:

" As a teacher I can say that teaching English as a second language provides jobs to teachers. There are a lot of students who need these classes hence creating jobs.
Anyways. We should tax the heck out of cigarettes, booze, coffee. All the legal drugs. People will still buy it.
I agree with those that say to restructure the fire and police salaries. They have good unions whixh will probably make it impossible to do but I know of so many well qualified firefighters that would do the job for half the amount some of them make. This includes myself who used to be a firefighter and is trained and ready to go. Just look at the thousands of candidates that show up when a job is announced. Teachers do deserve to make more. It's a tough job that doesn't get enough credit. "

109823 wrote on May 21, 2009 8:57 PM:

" It's quite apparent that the majority of posters here are in favor of discountinuing support for illegals in this state. How do you go about putting this to a vote? We've already sent a huge message to the state legislators about not increasing taxes, now it's time to let them know what areas WE want illiminated, but as Calistoga Tony pointed out about Prop 187 what we millions of voters pass can be overruled by one liberal judge. Something wrong with that picture. "

LMW wrote on May 22, 2009 12:39 AM:

" Remove all that just failed the citizens of this state. Wasted time and were in serious need of results to get this direction were heading to go another way, yet where did we go.

I say Pray for Ca or seek new folks in Sacramento. "

reason-ator wrote on May 22, 2009 2:11 AM:

" crooked6pence,

You are saying there's too much back-up, and now you're condoning SWAT at a traffic stop ?

I don't get it. "

reason-ator wrote on May 22, 2009 2:15 AM:

" One thing to remember here, is just as it was when we voted in Prop.13 years ago, the legislators will make SURE they pay us back for asking them to do their jobs in after an election.

We can expect that they will pass the hardship down to us, but will keep their benefits and staff members.

We will be punished, and we won't get a vote on it. Just remember to vote them out of office in the next election. Do NOT forget. "

PastNapan wrote on May 22, 2009 7:28 AM:

" This is a no brainer. Deport all illegal aliens and use all the money spent on all their endless social services to hire more border patrol to keep them out for good.
Large fines for all employers found to be hiring them.No more automatic citizenship for children of illegal aliens. No benefits, no jobs equals no more illegal alien problem. "

XMAN wrote on May 22, 2009 7:48 AM:

" If illegal aliens are costing California taxpayers 5 billion dollars a year for government services - in the next 10 years that's 50 billion dollars. Think about it.

The foregoing postings are amazingly accurate and would make a very positive blueprint for fixing the State's fiscal problems.

The whole thing should be sent to the California legislature - but would they read it? They seem to have their own self-interested agenda which does not concern itself with the will of the people at all. What a shame!

Let's throw the rascals out! "

selim wrote on May 22, 2009 8:29 AM:

" "Well Selim, thanks for sharing your annual salary, vices, dislikes, & non-compassion for you fellow Californians."

I don't get what you're saying, antipc. My annual salary would not get the tax break (I make over $100k/year), I don't smoke dope or cigarettes, I don't gamble, but I'd be affected by the rise in gas tax/liquor tax. The proposals (which are not anything I'd expect to get traction because they're too pragmatic) are not about ME...which is something right-wing "taxpayer-alliance" type folks don't understand because all their proposals are "ME ME ME".

I proposed the vice taxes because they work. Prohibition doesn't work, so regulate the "sinful" behavior and make some money off of it.

Gas taxes are a no-brainer. We're wedded to our cars, and the rise in 2007 gas prices proved that our economy continues just fine at $4/gallon.

And the 30% tax on int'l remittances should be forefront on the right-wing agenda, because it's punishing the illegal/undocumented workforce. Those are the people wiring money overseas...unless, of course Mr. antipc, it would interfere with your exciting money making opportunity that you just received via email from a fellow in Nigeria.

The H1B payroll tax would encourage employers to hire locally, rather than get cheaper legitimate immigrant labor alternatives for skilled jobs.

I don't get where the "compassion" attack comes from. I'm calling for loosening up the archaic prohibition laws & letting people pay for it, cutting the taxes on working Californians, cutting one of the most damaging insurance rates for small businesses, asking legislators to do their jobs and hold propositions to a "term limit". Where's the lack of compassion? "

meganmckenzie wrote on May 22, 2009 8:37 AM:

" Many of the comments here are scapegoating undocumented workers as if they have 'caused' the financial woes of CA.

It is the voters who voted for Prop 13, Republican governors, 2/3 requirement for budget passage and a ridiculous tax code who have brought CA to its knees.

The tax code needs to be changed. We need to tax the wealthiest at a higher rate a fair share.

Taxes on luxury items: tobacco, alcohol, fast food, and the like need to be increased.

Blaming teachers, police officers, fireman, county and state employees is scapegoating. Police officers and fireman put their lives on the line daily.

We should be paying higher property taxes as Prop 13 nearly destroyed our state. Enron, PG&E, our current economy has devastated our nation. Wall Street and Bush's 8 years of non leadership have brought us to this place.

Cutting folks wages, laying them off makes the economy weaker. Cutting children's services especially for the mentally ill makes no sense at all. We have voted to remove the civil rights of folks in our state. Now we condemn illegals as the problem. How convenient.

We each need to look closer to home to our own behaviors. We are a population that is ME FIRST. "I want all the services government provides but I do not want to pay for them."

No one likes taxes yet we need services that government, police and fire provide. Maybe we should give up the giant motorhomes, the expectation that our property will increase 10,000 a year and grow up. "

freeport56 wrote on May 22, 2009 8:50 AM:

" The first and foremost move, balance the legislators. For the past Ten Years the Democrats have had a strangle hold ove rthe legislature. They have grown it by 20% in just Ten years.

The statistics are out there, the top ten cities in America run by the Democrats are a financial mess, 17 of the 20 states in dire financial starits are run by Democrats. Sorry Demos, it is just the facts.

Nothing our state Democrats do to fix the budget problem has anything to do with motivating the economy. Lowering business taxes, cutting personal income taxes, fixing workmans comp...etc. All go to putting money back into the pockets of working people, who then have purchasing power. Thus, igniting the economic engine. "

magnum wrote on May 22, 2009 10:48 AM:

" Increasing taxes and fees for those of us that are still employed is not going to work and the last election proved it was not a very popular idea anyways. Maybe if the state stops having these special election, we could save millions on the cost of running these elections. The state consider a four day school week and get rid of the half day wednesdays in Napa. Promote tax benefits for companies that are able to maintain a certain number of employees and stop spending so much money on caring for undocumented immigrants. The prison population can be reduced by deporting non violent illegal aliens to their home country and providing mental health services for those who would not be in jail if they were given treatment. The cost to put someone in jail is three times more than providing an individual with mental helth care. The state should develope more jobs instead of paying out unemployment benefits. Have a person plant trees along the roadside instead of paying him to stay home. the most important cost saving measure would be to get rid of Arnold as soon as possible! "

ampsthelena wrote on May 22, 2009 10:51 AM:

" Steph,
I didn't mention "having politicians legislate the redistribution of wealth". I didn't suggest any concrete solution at all. In fact, like you, I'm very skeptical of the "top-down" legislative path to justice (especially in a political system so heavily influenced by those with great wealth).

I was just pointing out what I think most of us would agree on: the present distribution of wealth is immoral, unjust, and not good for our common well-being or our democracy. To fail to deal with the problem is to continue fighting over crumbs of scarcity while surrounded by abundance. Like you, I don't want, need, or have the right to anyone else's wealth. But there's the rub: does legal possession of wealth necessarily mean having a justifiable or moral "right" to it? For example, did the slave plantation owners have a "right" to their wealth because it was legally theirs, and did the slaves have "no right" to it, because it was, legally, their masters' property? It may seem irrelevant to our present situation, but I would ask you to think about it, and see if there are any parallels.... I believe there are. "

Sickothis wrote on May 22, 2009 11:35 AM:

" Ok. So how exactly do you not provide health services to illegals?

Anyone that walks into the Queen gets treated, by law. Doesn't matter if you're white or otherwise.

So - how do you go about it? "

UncleStuy wrote on May 22, 2009 12:24 PM:

" " Many of the comments here are scapegoating undocumented workers as if they have 'caused' the financial woes of CA.

I don't see how the above statement says we are "scrapegoating the undocumented worker"

Ilegal immigration, coming into this country thru an illegal means is just that illegal. I can not go into another country with out a visa or some sort of documentation. Many illegal immigrants get welfare, free schooling, free medical care, yet they don't pay their fair share.
Illegal immigrants place their children in schools, only come here part time,during the harvest season, then return to Mexico. Placing a burden on the school district in terms of Daily Attendence money.
They don't seem to want to learn our lanuage but we are expected to print many State and Government forms in Spanish, Chinese and other lanuages.
Many of them are paid under table. No taxes, medicare, or any deductions are made. Many hosptials are not paid for treating and caring for undocumented workers.
There has been cases of violence and commiting a crime, then the undocumented worker scrams back to Mexico.
All I ask is that uphold the law that says you have to have a VISA or documentation to enter this country. They pay taxes like I am expected to. I still don't understand how that is "scrapgoating" the undocumented worker. "

crooked6pence wrote on May 22, 2009 12:55 PM:

" reason-ator:

To summarize.

My initial statement that 4 officers responding to a simple traffic stop is wasteful, got me criticized by you.

You cited the incident in Oakland involving Lovell Mixon and I stated that no amount of backup would have prevented what happened.

You strongly disagreed.

I directed you to the Oakland Police press release.

"Dunakin was joined shortly by fellow motorcycle Officer John Hege. Department officials said the second officer’s arrival may have prompted Mixon to panic."

In this case Police suggest that the second officer on the scene escalated the situation.

After killing both Officers, he fled and hid in a house.

Two SWAT team members stormed the house, instead of waiting for further backup, and were subsequently killed.

Captain Ed Tracey, head of Oakland's motorcycle and SWAT team resigned. His peers voted him out.

Oakland now uses the Alameda County Sheriffs SWAT team.

I fully support the SWAT team being deployed to apprehend a holed up murderer!

My point was and is:

Instead of responding 4 patrol cars deep to minor traffic violations, Police Officers should be responding to all the other crime. Vehicle break-ins etc., maybe take some prints - you know... police work.

I support calling for backup when you feel threatened.

When 3 patrol cars respond to a 1 vehicle traffic stop, ask yourself, who is patrolling the rest of the City of Napa?

If this isn't an example of inefficiency and waste, then I don't know what is.

It is a completely different thing to have multiple responders because 1/3 of your police force is bored and possibly overstaffed.

The layoffs are coming. "

anothervoice wrote on May 22, 2009 1:51 PM:

" Is there a way to send these ideas by the people to our government? Maybe as a printed form and mailed, or ???? There are some excellent, practical, makesalotofsense ideas here that are suggested to "just" us Napans. Good thinking to say the least. "

antipc wrote on May 22, 2009 2:05 PM:

" "does legal possession of wealth necessarily mean having a justifiable or moral "right" to it?"

It's not a morals issue at all, it a rights issue. My wife & I each work a 55 hour week & own a small business on top of that. If we're willing to make those sacrifices, why should we be expected to share with deadbeats. "

kevin wrote on May 22, 2009 7:35 PM:

" It's pretty simple anti, they just VOTE to take it away from you.

Actually, based on the last election, I guess THEY ALREADY DID... "

MarkMiwords wrote on May 22, 2009 10:05 PM:

" Start from the top. Eliminate 1/2 of the California Legislative positions then double the size of each district. Make all the current politicians "re-apply" for their positions. As part of their application, they would have to show their past record of allocating tax dollars. Those with records of waste or are linked to funneling tax dollars inappropriately (for example into developer's pockets) would automatically eliminated from the job pool. "

steph wrote on May 22, 2009 10:41 PM:

" amp, if you want more, go out and earn it. Do some research, make a plan, get an education or start a business (or both) and make more money. Anyone who wants more should do the same. The government elites will not bring you prosperity. Only you can do that. The more the government takes away from "the rich" the lower will be your quality of life. More equality will not raise your lot in life. "

steph wrote on May 22, 2009 10:51 PM:

" And, amp, anyone who gains by lying, cheating, or stealing IS immoral and should be prosecuted under existing laws. Unfortunately, many of our politicians have a personal interest in the status quo. As such, we've seen some questionable financial bail outs lately as well as ongoing political cronyism and favoritism. However, it is folly to assume that all "the rich" got that way through immoral means, or that their wealth is unearned or undeserved--far from it.
What's immoral is coveting; what's worse is confiscating by power. And it's economically depressing for rich AND poor.
But don't fear--a fool (or his heirs) are soon parted. I've seen it in my own family, sadly. And in my own family and friends, I've seen people go from poor to very comfortable--through education, hard work, and clean living.
Most Americans enjoy a rather high standard of living. "

John Richards wrote on May 23, 2009 12:17 AM:

" Sicko wrote: "how exactly do you not provide health services to illegals?"

Simple. Let it be known that any illegal applying for medical services will receive only emergency treatment, after which he will immediately be deported. I promise you the lines at the medical clinics will get a lot shorter! "

John Richards wrote on May 23, 2009 12:22 AM:

John Richards wrote on May 23, 2009 12:31 AM:

" les wrote: "the US Supreme Court made several rulings that require schools to teach English to non English students."

California often gold-plates federal requirements. (They've done the same with auto pollution standards.) Texas manages to get by with much less services to illegal aliens, yet they have the same federal government as we do. Explain that one, please? "

John Richards wrote on May 23, 2009 12:35 AM:

" amp wrote: "the present distribution of wealth is immoral, unjust, and not good for our common well-being."

There is no point in whining about this since there is no way to change that situation without adopting socialism or communism. And that will never happen. "

capcr wrote on May 23, 2009 12:43 AM:

" 1. Deport all non-citizen prisoners in our jails for non-violent crimes back to their country of origin.

2. Make membership on a state board a non paid position.

3. Tax film industry fairly, no creative book keeping. Some very profitable films actually show losses on the books so no taxes have to be paid.

4. Joe Arpio type prisons. Make them work if they refuse to support themselves with jobs and families.

5. Eliminate death penalty, too expensive with all the appeals. However, enforce life without parole to the max.

6. Allow a three year grace period for taxes on new businesses with less that 100 employees, this will encourage people to start new businesses.

7. Eliminate any non English language programs other than immersion programs in schools, no foriegn language ballots or social services. We must have a common language.

8. Consolidate small school districts As well as park, fire or other special disrticts within counties.

9. Impose a 10% death taxs on all estates.

10. Shutter state offices on Friday.

11. Cut school year by 5 days. "

reason-ator wrote on May 23, 2009 1:39 AM:

" crooked6pence wrote on May 22, 2009 12:55 PM:

" reason-ator:.........My initial statement that 4 officers responding to a simple traffic stop is wasteful, got me criticized by you........"

So, to your perception that I criticized you, PLEASE show me where I criticized you, because I have NO idea where I did. Seriously, I want to know what I wrote that you took as criticism of you personally.

All I did was disagree with the idea that you expressed that officer safety was wasteful.

Cops have families, and their families would prefer that their father/mother, husband/wife, son/daughter, etc will come home from work alive and unharmed. "

formernapamom wrote on May 23, 2009 1:41 AM:

" I am on the same page as everyone who has said to stop providing services to illegal immigrants. Has anyone stopped to think about the fact that illegal immigrants are not on payroll and therefore do not pay state taxes? If they aren't paying state taxes their children should not be attending public schools since they do not contribute to the funding that runs the schools. The children of illegal aliens are receiving a complete education in spanish at our expense. You should have to provide proof of legal residence or US citizenship to obtain any public assistance. No more free-bees to anyone who does not pay taxes to the state. If an illegal alien has a baby in a US hospital, they should be deported upon discharge from the hospital. Your tax paying dollars are paying for the hospital stay.

The state should not be printing documents in any language other than English (ie, DMV). Do you know how expensive it is to print all those forms in multiple languages? It's a waste of resources and money. Last I checked all the road signs are in English and therefore so should the written tests for obtaining your license. If you can't communicate in English (read, write and speak) while living in this country then you probably shouldn't be driving here either. I'm sure everyone loves being involved in a car accident and not being able to communicate with the other party because they don't understand English. I could go on and on but I think you get my point. "

sickothis wrote on May 23, 2009 2:24 AM:

" john - you're in an accident. You don't have your license on you. Better yet, you have NO papers on you...

Send you where?

Are YOU legal?

have you ever been legal?

Wheat makes you legal?

Who are you to judge legal? "

sickothis wrote on May 23, 2009 2:31 AM:

" So john - you go to the hospital and don't have your license on your person. To where do we deport you?

Afghanistan? "

formernapamom wrote on May 23, 2009 2:42 AM:

" You wrote: "We need to tax the wealthiest at a higher rate a fair share."

Wealthier people are already taxed at a higher rate. If you tax them even more, they will simply move out of state. Simple-minded solutions often have unintended consequences.

This is not the answer. 15 years ago when I was still in school I happened to see my father's paystub and 46% was taken for taxes. That was even after taking into consideration he had six kids, three of which were in college. And we by no means lived extravagantly. I can only imagine what they take now. "

tomhansen wrote on May 23, 2009 6:52 AM:

" Reverse former Lotto director Chon Guitterez (sp) decision. Making California Lotttery 6-53, back to 6-49. His idea was larger 'Jackpots' & longer odds would increase revenue.
Imho, it makes winning even token amounts of money now nearly impossible.
Playership,' along with revenues, must be way way down. Fewer people seem to participate now. "

tomhansen wrote on May 23, 2009 6:59 AM:

" Maybe Darrell Issa and the current Governor will donate their substantial fortunes to the State of California.
Electing another movie star to public office, and the $$ it cost to oust Gray Davis is now another vast amount of taxpayer money that was poorly spent it seems. Good luck. "

fmmt47 wrote on May 23, 2009 8:28 AM:

" Consolodate departments, eliminate other usless departments, commissions etc, contract out intermittent services. "Restore settings" on regulations back to the 1970's. Make sure that when legislators meet its only once a year in order to create and balance the State's operating budget, not pass thousands of new assinine laws; windshield wipers on/lights on" is a good example. Limit authority of various State Boards to enact higher "fees" which are really hidden taxes. Make more positions seasonal (such as Cal Fire does) Level the playing field on retirement benefits, why is retirement based upon percentage of earnings anyway or the fact that you are a cop or firefighter, polititician etc. Think about it, if everyone received $40,000 annually across the board adjusted for COLA intermittently it would save billions, if they want more $ they pay more in contributions. 15% reduction on wages above $80k per annum, 5 % reduction below 80k. Cap and level the playing field on payments of workers compensation benefits, why should some people make more than others? Eliminate ADA protection for recepients of workers comp. so they can be returned to work earlier. There is so much fraud in the system, 3 out of ten public employees are abusing the system. Look around a see how many people are whining that they are "disabled", especially people under the age of 40 that are faking soft tissue back injuries. "

love-napa-valley wrote on May 23, 2009 9:35 AM:

" I notice how most of the comments are complaining about the waste of money from illegal services in general. Most of you don't even have idea how things go around them, first:
1. illegal people cant apply for any service coming from government like welfare etc. etc. been legal is a requirement.
2.even when there illegal they can pay taxes, it is required, SSN office have, all that info how to pay, so they pay.
(And even paying taxes they cant get unemployed help, for not been legal).
3.English programs in schools wont hurt anybody, many kids don't even need them, it is just an A+ to better programs.
I dont see where they are the problem in this. "

love-napa-valley wrote on May 23, 2009 10:11 AM:

" But, California needs money: this is my idea:
1. Legalize all this immigrants already here,(for every one is like $1.000) they are millions, get your calculator...
2. They will get then driver license, how much cost that; you know, and by this they will pay insurance, obviously taxes, and they will get health insurance, and this goes on and on as legal people pays and do.
they already live and work here, if they are legalized, they will be more obligated, to live the legal way, that means more money to the state,
By keeping them illegal, only looks convenient for every body, just think that legalized, they will have more rights, and seams that is what government is avoiding, you think they don't know where they are, there millions, is just impossible to get them out of US. Government knows it, they don't care having illegals here, is convenient for them; THEY ARE THE ESCUSE EVERYBODY WANT TO USE. Do your research and ask yourself the big WHY you will be amazed of what you find. "

John Richards wrote on May 23, 2009 11:08 AM:

" sicko wrote: " you go to the hospital and don't have your license on your person. To where do we deport you?"

I always carry my photo ID. There would have to be some procedure for giving individuals a chance to produce suitable documents if they're not carrying a photo ID. "

savenapa wrote on May 23, 2009 12:18 PM:

" I must be going insane. Did I really read what I thought I did? Can Arnold hire an interpreter for me? "

alucawanza wrote on May 23, 2009 12:38 PM:

" JR
Please tell us the Federal laws that Texas circumvents that California observes regarding education.
California schools are legally bound to accept all students and may not ask for status information. That's the law. I don't know if it is federal or state. Probably state.
Children born here of illegal immigrants are American citizens. That's Federal Constitutional law.
Please remember that the more education one gets the better the future earnings of the individual. More earnings equals more taxes.
Illegal immigrants cannot get anything but emergency service at a hospital now. They are not able to collect any social services as they lack proof of citizenship.
Wealthier people may be taxed at a higher rate, but they also have higher deductions to declare enabling them to declare less income. There are also so many "legal" ways to get deductions. I once was given a check in payment for an item I was selling. The person put "consultation fee" in the memo area....
Across the board cuts are the only way to solve this problem. Money in has to equal money out...But we need people able to make critical decisions that are best for all. I'm not sure that is in place.. I'm all for an independent group of businessmen with no agenda other than to cut waste and eliminate redundancy. "

steph wrote on May 23, 2009 12:52 PM:

" Illegals benefit from entitlement programs provided to their American-born children, because the taxpayers pay for the costs of raising these children. Nobody is fooled by the argument that illegals can't receive benefits.
Illegals can (and many do) have their American children fed and housed by taxpayers. Illegal immigrants live in the taxpayer-paid housing with their American children. Kinda neat if you can just have someone teach you how to work the system. Just get yourself an under-the-table job (or none at all), and you're good to go.
Just the facts. You decide if this is good for our country or not. "

109823 wrote on May 23, 2009 3:12 PM:

" I'm confused if it doesn't cost taxpayers for illegal immigrants then why does the state of Calif. spend $10.5 billion on them annually? "

tangent wrote on May 23, 2009 5:27 PM:

" 109823 said:

" I'm confused if it doesn't cost taxpayers for illegal immigrants then why does the state of Calif. spend $10.5 billion on them annually? "

Can you cite your source on this figure? I'd be curious to see how this was calculated. "

alucawanza wrote on May 23, 2009 7:29 PM:

" steph
The Constitution needs to be changed then. If you're born here, you are a citizen with all the rights that go with that status. Your complaint is a valid one. How can it be resolved? Do we need a new amendment to the Constitution? Should the parents become citizens and taxpayers? What are the options to this Constitutional dilemma that are doable and legal?

109823:
What is 10.5 billion spent on? "

antipc wrote on May 23, 2009 7:53 PM:

" Always the answer of the liberals.

Our plan isn't working so change the constitution to make it work, or get the "9th circus" to save us from our own ignorance.

Enforce the existing immigration laws.

No Rep. Or Dem. politician has the guts to do it because there are to many votes at stake. "

love-napa-valley wrote on May 23, 2009 8:37 PM:

" This is wrong, no one wants to see the reality, and keep crying for no reason, you have the solutions but don't want to accept it because you know you are acting wrong. When this community is going to change the way they think???? well, keep your heads stuck in the same hole all your life.. "

steph wrote on May 23, 2009 9:22 PM:

" Yes, I agree that we need to enforce our existing laws. Immigrants without permission to be here in the US can decide whether to take their American children with them if they are deported for being here without the permission of the US government.
Further, I like selim's suggestion of taxing remittances sent outside the US. "

109823 wrote on May 23, 2009 10:02 PM:

" This was the results of the Federation for American Immigration Reform survey in 2004 of Calif. 7.7 billion for educating children of illegals, 1.4 billion on health care and 1.4 for incarcerating illegals. All of which are covered by our taxdollars. "

steph wrote on May 23, 2009 10:05 PM:

" http://theenvelope.latimes.com/la-me-cap2-2009feb02,0,4037323.column?page=1

Cost of felons--feds reneg on promise to help pay:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-illegal-felons11-2009apr11,0,5676455.story

Of course, there is a lot of fraud and abuse committed by American citizens who don't contribute much to the economy and who cost society a great deal, whether by demanding entitlement payments or committing crimes. This is the cost of poverty in general.

Kid, listen to your teachers and parents. Stay in school and stay out of trouble. "

steph wrote on May 23, 2009 10:11 PM:

" Maybe we should just annex Mexico. If the wealthy in Mexico are going to look to the US to care for their poor, maybe we should get something in return. Let's annex Mexico and their natural resources--oil and climate. That might be the most humane thing to do. Families could be reunited, and the wealthy of Mexico could help finance education and healthcare, and we could make our laws universal. "

XMAN wrote on May 24, 2009 2:26 AM:

" AFTER READING A BATTERY OF MISINFORMATION ON THIS POSTING BOARD THE QUESTION IS - DO THE VOTERS GET IT? OUR STATE LEGISLATORS ARE SPENDING MONEY WITHOUT ANY REGARD FOR HOW MUCH THEY TAKE IN. IT HAS GOT TO STOP. PERIOD. "

love-napa-valley wrote on May 24, 2009 10:11 AM:

" Steph:
I wrote your comment about annexing Mexico to US, well I always Think why this doesn't happen again as it happened with all those States that belong to Mexico before like California, Texas, New Mexico, etc. I agree with you on that. "

steph wrote on May 24, 2009 10:57 AM:

" We may have to annex Mexico if all Americans will be required to have medical insurance under Obama's health reform initiative. We can't continue to have undocumented folks without insurance if the plan for universal coverage is going to work.

You know, love-napa-valley, it's not so much the hard working, loving families I have a problem with. It's the American politicians who have their hands in my (and your?) pocket that I disagree with, who reward non-productivity and fraud and waste. That's not good for our country--not good for you or me. The government is slowly killing the goose that lays golden eggs. If you read about some of the fraud that is taking place with our tax dollars at caltax.org, you, too, will be angry.
Our schools--our best hope for poor people in our country--should be our pride and treasure, and instead, they are poorly managed and funded by our politicians and commissioners and other bureaucrats. That should make everyone angry. "

djz wrote on May 24, 2009 10:02 PM:

" Forget about limiting legislative pay. Take that three steps further and go to a part-time legislature so only people that truly want to represent the people are employed instead of someone looking for a job. That can dramatically cut back on travel expenses. California is one of something like 15 states that has a full time legislature and judging by this budget mess and their reliance on the voters to passing the props instead of passing those tax hikes themselves, it doesn't seem like they work too hard anyway. By the way, good thing they failed. Tax increases never generate enough money to fill in the budget deficits. "

Madison Jay Hamilton wrote on May 25, 2009 4:43 PM:

" Repeal Proposition 13. "

antipc wrote on May 25, 2009 7:09 PM:

" Mad J, 30 years later & the Democrat/Socialist party still can't balance a budget.

Pathetic excuse for incompetence. "

Raven wrote on May 26, 2009 9:01 AM:

" What I love is the denial by many that voters had any hand in the budget mess we are in.

One, example, why should a legislator really care about the long term effects of anything he or she does when he or she know they will but forced out of the office in a couple terms? "

Madison Jay Hamilton wrote on May 26, 2009 9:40 PM:

" The current economic crisis was thirty years in the making.

When Californians passed Proposition 13, they decided that they'd rather pay higher income taxes than higher property taxes.

When Californians passed Proposition 13, they decided that they prefer low property taxes to good schools, roads, bridges, and police/fire protection.

When Californians booted G. Davis from office, they selected a Republican to lead reform. Arnold has failed miserably.

The current governor is a Republican.

The current economic crisis is a result of the Reagan Revolution. "

antipc wrote on May 27, 2009 7:11 AM:

" You couldn't be more wrong Mad J.

Arnold is a RINO.

Davis was a failure at everything but spending (see corrections officers contracts).

The current economic crisis is a direct result of liberal overspending.

You mean the Reagan revolution of smaller government, right?

Being in a construction related industry I know how many schools are under construction & trust me it's a lot more than you think. "

glenroy wrote on May 27, 2009 9:31 AM:

" The anti Prop 13 groupies will never figure it out….hopelessly oblivious to their inability to manage.

Since Prop 13 passed State spending grew 2,700%….state population 250%….LOL…Blind Baby Melloncamp can see that.

Just some pointers.….Caltrans alone would be a top 8 state economy, top 25 world economy..…..our teachers are some of the highest paid in the lower 48...as are our prison guards averaging over $120k annually….our local government has dozens over $130k per year, our state employee retirement benefits since signed into law by Democrat Gray Davis has driven labor and projected benefits costs up over 250% in just 15 years….public school spending has doubled over the same period including special bonds. Since 2002 our tax bill on one small business has doubled due to school bonds and sanitation fees….and it’s not enough.

State and local governments circumvented Prop 13 almost immediately….building/remolding fee per square foot offset because the properties are reassessed immediately…the state turned to DMV annual vehicle taxes raising billions….Prop 13 saved thousands of middle class homeowners from ruin, while the facts are the state and local government never missed a beat finding other ways to tax and spend like a drunk sailor on a binge.

The downside of course is the state ran off 80% of the largest employers over the same period…

The simple and obvious fact is, our financial ruin is 100% mismanagement of public resources…. "

Raven wrote on May 27, 2009 1:24 PM:

" glenroy, name those 80 percent.... "

swheeler23 wrote on May 27, 2009 9:42 PM:

" I would make the sports teams pay taxes. It is time they did. "

Madison Jay Hamilton wrote on May 27, 2009 9:59 PM:

" I laugh when hearing GOPers lamely attempt to link Ronald Reagan with smaller government.

Ronald Reagan was a borrow and spend Republican who shoveled tax dollars at his corporate sponsors.

In September, 1985, the U.S. went from a creditor nation to a borrower nation. Thanks to Ronald Reagan.

Now that businesses are laying off workers, California's over-reliance on income taxes is having a terrible effect on the state's budget.

California has a great deal of wealth. With proper investments in infrastructure and human resources, California can come out of the current economic crisis even stronger than before. "

Raven wrote on May 28, 2009 9:58 AM:

" among the cuts to come

Parks in Napa County

-- Bale Grist Mill, historic park

-- Bothe-Napa Valley

-- Robert Louis Stevenson "

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