Monday, July 2, 2012

Senator Gaines weighs in on Brown budget

On June 27, the Democrats put forward a budget plan. Once again, it is an irresponsible budget that is not balanced, not honest and not what the people of California deserve from their government. It is a phony, gimmicky document that does nothing to address the chronic, structural overspending that plagues our state and I absolutely could not support it.



Even worse, it grows state spending by more than $10 billion and assumes that voters will approve an additional $47 billion in sales and income taxes. Tax increases lost in every county in the state in 2009. The latest tobacco tax failed and it is a huge gamble to bank on voters balancing the budget through higher taxes.

The Democrats perpetually place the needs of special interests above those of Californians. There’s no pension reform, no job-creating regulatory reform and nothing that increases government efficiency.

I’ve said this over and over again – we need to enact serious, long-term solutions that will not only prevent future financial meltdowns, but will encourage job creation and allow California’s economy to recover.