THAT’S DEBATABLE:

As state officials warn that the state’s deficit could jump from a few billion dollars to as much as $10 million, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has offered a plan to make 10% cuts in the state budget. Do you think that will be enough to stave off a crisis? If not, what should state officials do?

The Final Budget Summary for the 2003-04 budget, the year of the recall, called for $71.1 billion in general fund spending. The same document for 2007-08, published Sept. 28 shows $102.3 billion of general fund spending. That’s an increase of $31.2 billion in only four years or almost 44% higher spending.

We are facing a deficit of $10 billion or more next year — that’s why I voted “no” on this budget. Ordering state agencies to plan for 10% cuts in projected spending for next year is a start, but it likely will not be enough.

Increasing taxes will only deepen our economic and budgetary problems as it did the last time this was tried in 1991.

We need to live within our means. The governor’s 10% reduction is a start, but it will probably take more than that to balance our broken state budget.

Chuck DeVore

Assemblyman

(R-Newport Beach)

I applaud the governor for his recognition that the state is in the midst of a financial crisis by calling for 10% cuts across the board. To me this is a start in the right direction, but much more must be done.

California’s deteriorating budget situation requires the governor to declare a state of fiscal emergency as provided for in Proposition 58. If the governor determines the state is facing substantial revenue shortfalls he may declare a fiscal emergency. The governor then would be required to propose legislation to address the problem. More importantly, the Legislature may not act on any other legislation until it deals with the fiscal crisis. The failure to act now will only make a bad situation worse.

Additionally, I believe our government must enact zero-based budgeting. Essentially, each agency, department and division would be required to justify and account for each dollar it requests and spends. This will allow the state to develop a complete picture of what a particular agency or department actually needs to efficiently operate as opposed to automatically giving it last year’s budget plus more for good measure.

This budget deficit is not the result of a lack of revenues, but of state spending outstripping revenue growth. It is high time for our government to tighten its belt.

Tom Harman

Senator

(R-Huntington Beach)

Did not respond.

Van Tran

Assemblyman

(R-Costa Mesa)