Party leaders have been getting together in response to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed fiscal plan, which I wrote about here. Legislators agree that there needs to be a way to increase revenue to close the $19.1 billion deficit, but how that will be done is always the argument.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s “spending blueprint” proposes eliminating California’s welfare program and cutting other state services. Democrats are responding by making a proposal of their own: generate billions in the form of new taxes.
The democrats’ detailed $5 billion plan calls for taxing oil companies, borrowing from the state’s recyclable bottles and can deposits, delaying corporate tax breaks, increasing personal income taxes, increasing vehicle license fees and raising taxes on alcohol. In order to pass, the plan would require at least some Republican votes. Republican legislators are expected to reject these tax hikes.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Schwarzenegger's office immediately dismissed the Democrats' proposals. "It is unfortunate that the Democrats' first instinct is to raise taxes," said Schwarzenegger spokesman Aaron McLear.
Read more about the proposed plans here.