Antonovich says governor needs structural reforms to fix broken budget process

 

 

 

       

 

PRESS RELEASE

Contact:  Tony Bell, Communications Deputy Office:     (213) 974-5555  Cell: (213) 215-5176 E-mail:     tbell@bos.lacounty.gov

               January 6, 2010                                                                                           For Immediate Release

 

 

GOVERNOR NEEDS STRUCTURAL REFORMS TO FIX BROKEN BUDGET PROCESS  

 

LOS ANGELES COUNTY – “While the Governor outlined an ambitious agenda to address the state’s fiscal crisis, it failed to include the structural reforms necessary to reform the state’s broken budget process,” said Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich.

 

“With a $20 billion deficit, failure to enact structural reforms will result in California’s bankruptcy,” he said.  “Our full-time legislature has failed to work full time to stop the fiscal hemorrhaging.” 

 

“The state needs to enact structural reform that includes: 1) the elimination and consolidation of state agencies with duplicative responsibilities;  2) a two-year budget;  3) a part-time legislature;  4) an end to term limits; and 5) bringing our civil service system into the 21^st Century,” he added. 

 

“How can California’s budget problems be due to the legislature’s 2/3 majority requirement to raise taxes when our state currently has some of the highest gasoline, sales and business taxes in the nation?” 

 

Proposition 13 is also not to blame -- property tax revenues went from $6.4 billion in 1981 to $43 billion in 2007 – a 600% increase --  far higher than the combined rate of population growth and inflation over the same period.”   

 

“To retain business, create jobs and spur economic growth, California should tear a page from Nevada’s successful playbook and make overtures to business to stay or relocate to California with business-friendly incentives including reducing taxes, regulation and an innovative marketing campaign,” Antonovich said.   

 

 

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