The Opposition
Democrats
were in complete control of state government from January of 1998 to November
of 2003. The result of Democrat leadership during these five years is clear:
- The state
budget underwent a deterioration of historic proportions – from the
multi-billion dollar surpluses in state tax revenues inherited by Democrats
in 1998, to a 38 billion dollar deficit in 2003, with a structural deficit
that is adding 8 to 10 billion dollars of red ink each year. This amounts to
fiscal mismanagement on a massive scale.
- We witnessed
the single largest mistake in the history of California state government,
when both the Democrat Legislature and former Governor Davis failed to act on
clear warning signs of problems in electricity markets, which resulted in
rolling blackouts, caused huge price increases, and brought our private
energy utilities to the brink of financial ruin.
- The state’s
credit rating was severely downgraded, resulting in much higher interest on
state bonds.
- Agriculture is
struggling to survive in one of the most productive areas in the world.
- The business
climate in California has deteriorated to the point where companies are
leaving the state, along with their jobs, while the Legislature continues to
pass bills that add to the cost of doing business here.
- And radical
social engineering measures have been forced on schools and businesses.
In
short, this Legislature has increased the size, cost, and scope of state
government, while putting transportation and water supply issues on the back
burner. Increased education spending is something that we can agree on, but
much of this money has gone out with strings attached, and there has been an
overabundance of bills telling local schools how to educate our children.
Now
it is time to ask whether we want to continue in this same direction, and
whether it is in the interest of voters in the 8th Assembly District to keep
a Democrat leadership that is made up of representatives from Los Angeles and
San Francisco who are primarily interested in the agenda of Bay Area and
Southern California special interests groups.
Democrat
candidates in Central California often advertise themselves as moderates,
including current Assembly District 8 incumbent
Lois Wolk. However, their
legislative record tells a different story, and even a quick look at the
record of the Legislature clearly demonstrates where the Democrat Party has
been leading California:
- Much bigger government.
- Increased taxes
and fees to support more spending.
- No tax relief
without a fight.
- Use of taxes, fees,
and mandates to transfer wealth and responsibility.
- Further delay
of essential public works projects, including transportation projects and new
water supplies.
- Greater state
control of local affairs and our daily lives.
- More state
mandates on schools and businesses for social engineering.
- Additional
state permits to control private land use.
Using
past performance as the best indicator of future actions, it is clear that a
Democrat majority in the Legislature will continue to move California toward a socialist state where government decides what
is best. The failure of this approach
should be obvious from the resulting budget deficits and intrusions on our
private lives and businesses. This is
not a place that I want to go or the legacy that I want to pass on to future
generations.
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