Norby Notes 4

	If you have problems viewing this email click here
	Norby Notes 4 March, 2011 | Issue 04 http://www.arc.asm.ca.gov/member/72/ Assemblymember.Norby@assembly.ca.gov Five Questions State budget crisis discussions are dominated by the following five questions, whose answers will determine our long-term fiscal future: 1)  Will Governor Brown peel off the four Republican legislators to create a 2/3rds majority for his plan?  To fill the $25 billion budget hole, the Governor proposes about $11 billion in tax extensions and $12.5 billion in spending cuts. Some GOP support may be needed to place his plan on the ballot in a June special election. Specifically, it would take two Republican votes in each house to form a 2/3rds majority (although this may not actually be required-see Question 4). 2)  Will Republican legislators simply oppose Brown, or will we unite behind a plan of our own? There is broad agreement that our plan must include both serious pension and regulatory reform. Unsustainable public pensions are a serious concern, and business owners complain more about the uncertain regulatory environment more than they do about taxes. There is widespread discussion about whether to offer a counter-proposal, or try to merge our reforms with Brown's package without compromising on taxes. 3)  Would Democrats accept any Republican counter-proposals? Would Democrats agree to placing a competing plan on the ballot if it were the only way to secure a place for the Governor's plan? 4)  Without any bi-partisan support, would the Governor seek a simple majority vote to place his plan on the ballot? While Brown wants Republican support, he may not legally need it. While a 2/3rds legislative vote is needed to raise taxes, it might not be needed to place tax extensions on the ballot. 5)  If the Brown Plan makes the ballot, would the voters pass it? The 5-year tax extensions (totaling $55 billion) may be a tough sell in a special election when turnouts are low and voters are disproportionately older and more conservative. If they don't pass, we revert to an all-cuts budget. An all-cuts budget would be balanced with $25 billion in spending reductions-perhaps draconian by today's standard, but would place us at 1998 levels, even adjusted for inflation. I will not be one of the two of my party to cut a side deal with the Governor and provide cover for his tax plan. However, I will not criticize my colleagues looking for real solutions, as I believe my party must. Saying "no" is not enough. I will support counter-proposals that avoid new taxes while imposing necessary economic and government reforms-especially in pensions, regulations, education, prisons, healthcare and welfare. Unlike Congress, the state legislature cannot print money nor borrow endlessly against future generations. We will have a balanced budget. March 9th is the deadline for the legislature to vote to place proposals on the June ballot. Monday Majesty My weekly Monday flight from Orange County to Sacramento was particularly spectacular as the wintery majesty of our Golden State below gives no hint of the paralysis of its government. We rise above Newport Beach with its sandy strand that marks the end of a continent. We curl back over the rocky coast of Catalina, and the docks of San Pedro harbor, whose crowded wharfs welcome the wealth of the world. Below now is LA, its 4 million people criss-crossed with traffic-clogged concrete ribbons. I spot the USC campus (my son Alex is down there) and the Hollywood sign. Far to the east are the three snowy sentinels of Mounts Baldy, San Gorgonio and San Jacinto, all topping 10,000 feet. Resplendent from the recent snow, the rugged San Gabriels and Tehachapis rise abruptly from the suburban valley floors. Off to the east is the Antelope Valley, where a rainbowed rug of wildflowers will soon be responding to our recent rainfall. I see the reservoirs and aqueducts, engineering marvels equalizing the North-South hydrologic imbalance. Now appear the glistening Sierras, whose vast snowmelts will soon fill our lakes, rivers, irrigation channels, bathtubs and garden hoses. Below now is California's agricultural heartland with its grapes, almonds, cotton, melons, citrus and the general cornucopia of the Central Valley. We pass over Bakersfield, Visalia, Fresno, Stockton and finally Sacramento.  The Sierra skyline is topped by Mt. Whitney, and deeply gouged by the Yosemite Valley. Below is the muddy, meandering Sacramento River, snaking through the orchard and rice fields toward the delta. I land for another compressed week in the Capitol. This land is your land. This land is my land. From California to the New York Island.  Budget crises may come and go, but this land will endure. New District Office Grand Opening Thursday, March 10th 4:00-6:00 p.m. 1400 N. Harbor Blvd., Suite 601, Fullerton  Chris' Question Who is the highest paid employee of the State of California? (Answer in the next newsletter) This Issue Five Questions Monday Majesty New District Office Grand Opening Chris' Question DISTRICT OFFICE 1400 N. Harbor Blvd., Suite 601 Fullerton, CA 92835 714-526-7272, 714-526-7278 fax CAPITOL OFFICE P.O. Box 942849 Sacramento, CA 94249 916-319-2072, 916-319-2172 fax © 2011 Assembly Republican Caucus | Disclaimer

Unsubscribe     |    Update Email