Colorado voters apparently decided that "we have met the enemy and he is us," to quote a philosophical cartoon possum named POGO. A majority voted Tuesday to suspend strict state spending limits that Coloradans themselves approved 13 years ago. They were fed up with its consequences: underfunded schools, eroded public healthcare, neglected roads and a stagnant business climate.
With a governor and a Legislature incapable of honestly balancing the budget, California today is in a situation similar to Colorado's in 1992, and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger wants voters to enact Proposition 76. The latest Times Poll shows that a substantial majority of likely voters doesn't favor the constitutional spending limit, which would reduce the rate of increase in school spending and could put higher education, state parks and public health disproportionately under the ax in a downturn. At least voters, to their credit, seem ready to call a halt to this madness of governing by ballot initiative. (Let's hope so) The Colorado vote should only strengthen their resolve. (Excerpts from a Los Angeles Times editorial dated 11/4/05) 
Arthur, how soon we forget the profligate spending of recalled Governor Gray Davis, who had California careening down the road to bankruptcy. Prop. 76 is simply about not spending what you don't have. It makes eminent good sense.
ReplyDeleteThat's what we need--good sense but we won't get that with a "meat axe" mandate.
ReplyDeleteArthur, the phrase "the constitutional spending limit, which would reduce the rate of increase in school spending" says it all. Proposition 76 would have allowed more increases in school spending, not that they have done any good in the past.
ReplyDeleteI must admit, however, something simpler would have been preferable.