"Drill, Baby, Drill"
“Drill, Baby, Drill, the battle call of those interested in exploring off-shore drilling, has an entirely different meaning when it comes to the state’s budget. I am emailing you to make you aware of a “budget drill” scheduled for tomorrow by the Democrat leadership.
Tomorrow’s budget drill is merely a ruse. Rather than seriously addressing the state’s mounting financial crisis, what we will see tomorrow is nothing close to the actual nitty-gritty of closing the hole between revenues and expenses.
Democrats have already tipped their hand on how they really want to address the deficit - $4.4 billion in new taxes and fees directed primarily at the middle class and small business. That idea has been resoundingly criticized by Republicans and the Legislative Analysts testified that it would hit middle class taxpayers the hardest. But we won’t see that plan tomorrow. What we will see is something that doesn’t even begin to address the controversial issues in their plan. I plan on voting against it.
I don’t believe playing political games will get us any closer to a budget. For the last three years we have gone through the same budget dance only to come out with spending plans that are held together by gimmicks and promises. Democrats talk jobs but create none. Enough.
California needs a solution that reflects the state’s need to live within its means. It needs jobs – not government jobs, private sector jobs. It needs these things now, not when the Democrats are done playing games.
We can’t pay our bills, services to the elderly and infirm are at risk and vendors are soon to be without payment. A real solution means cutting the state workforce, reducing spending in other areas and taking steps to save money for unforeseen downturns. This isn’t fun. It isn’t sexy. It is reality.
I will be watching the budget debate and proposal carefully. This week’s Harman Report will include a more extensive analysis of what happens tomorrow as well as a wrap-up of other legislative issues.
"No man's life, liberty or property are safe
while the Legislature is in session."Truer words are rarely spoken. This week the 2009-2010 Legislative Session adjourned - without a budget. The good news for taxpayers is the defeat of the Democrat plan to raise $4.4 billion in new taxes from the middle class. (Click here to read more on this topic)
The legislature will go back in session when a final spending plan has been negotiated, but until that time the state may have to resort to IOUs and leave vital programs unfunded. All of which was avoidable if the Democrats had acted on the deficit in February's special budget session or in May when the Governor sent the legislature his May Revision. The majority party's endless delays and politicking have actually cost Californians about $3 billion in additional deficit.
A wrap-up of some of the other issues you may have been following - both good and bad can be found here. These include education, health care, public safety and the bill to ban free plastic grocery bags at checkout counters.
Tom Harman represents the people of the 35th Senate District. Harman, a member of the Republican Party, was first elected to the State Senate in 2006 in a special election after serving nearly six years in the State Assembly representing the 67th Assembly District.
Harman first entered the State Legislature in 2000 after serving six years on the Huntington Beach City Council. Senator Harman, a local businessman and civic volunteer, has lived and worked in Orange County for nearly 50 years.
He currently serves as Minority Whip and lead Republican on the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee. He also is a member of the following committees: Budget and Fiscal Review; Business, Professions and Economic Development; Governmental Organizations; Local Government; Transportation and Housing.
As one of the State's leaders in the fight against illegal immigration, Harman has authored numerous measures aimed at: providing local and state law enforcement the tools necessary to assist federal agencies; requiring employment verification; and limiting state services to those here illegally.
He has consistently supported legislation to limit the size and scope of government. Throughout his legislative career he has signed and honored his pledge to vote against all new taxes.