:lamo
That's why so many sheep live in California. They just chew away on the slop that's feed them.
What taxpayers should know about Gov. Brown's budget: Opinion - Press-Telegram
If one were to believe Gov. Jerry Brown's representations about how "austere" his proposed budget is, a taxpayer would assume that government spending is much lower than during California's boom times before the recession. That assumption would be wrong.
First, the 2013-14 proposed budget would spend more than any other budget in California history. This is true even as it relates to the general fund portion of the budget which doesn't include special funds or federal revenues. In fact, the general fund budget at $97.7 billion is actually $104 billion if previous realignment dollars are included. (The "realignment funds" are simply general fund dollars sent to local governments for the purpose of paying for programs - like corrections - that were previously the responsibility of the state.)
The general fund budget is once again above 2007-2008 levels - the highest ever in state history.
Second, the higher spending is not due to additional revenue coming in because of economic growth. To the contrary, the extra dollars are reaching state coffers due solely to the $50 billion tax increase approved by the voters in November. Succumbing to the threats of closed schools and tuition hikes, voters approved Proposition 30 by a wide margin.
But Prop. 30's passage is coming at a huge cost now that California has the highest income tax rates and highest sales tax in America. Specifically, that damage is inflicted on our potential for economic growth. Indeed, it now appears that the exodus already underway by skilled workers, higher income earners and educated students out of California is accelerating.