All eyes on California

Is it time for California to become Reagan Country again?

6 ballot initiatives will be decided by voters at the polls today, most of them designed to protect government’s insatiable appetite for spending.

Proposition 1F – freeze the pay of elected officials during deficit years. I’m thinking that’ll pass, and I’m thinking that may be the only thing with a chance to pass.

Proposition 1A – caps state spending but extends “temporary” increases in income, sales and vehicle taxes. This will be an interesting test for other (Moran, McAuliffe) politicians who are eager to raise taxes to see if a state like Cali even has the nerve to extend tax increases that were supposed to expire.

Proposition 1B restores $9 billion to schools. This only happens if 1A passes to give them the money. So much for this one.

Proposition 1C is a good ol’ FRAN-style gimmick to borrow $5 billion and pay it back from future lottery revenue. More debt now? Isn’t that how we got into this mess?

Propositions 1D and 1E raid child-development programs and mental-health services to lump the bucks back into the state’s general fund. Yeah…try running on that platform in California.

Not on the ballot is what might be called Proposition Get a CLUE, which would tell state government that when you are short on cash, you lower your SPENDING.

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About the author

Brian Kirwin

The right wants to jeer him. The left wants to censor him. Moderates usually want both. Brian Kirwin is a political consultant and public relations strategist in Virginia Beach with a lightning-rod flair. Brian also serves on the VB Arts & Humanities Commission and frequently appears on Hampton Roads theatrical stages, if only to prove that all actors aren’t liberals. Kirwin’s columns stir up debate and hit the political scene with no punches pulled.