THAT’S DEBATABLE:

What do you think of the most recent state budget proposal?

The $14-billion tax increase and budget deal will fail to accomplish its main purpose — to balance the budget. Why? Because the tax rate increases will not generate the revenue projected in a weak economy while half of the spending reductions are merely accounting shifts. This budget has no real government reform.

Linking additional years of tax increases to a spending limit constitutional initiative in a May 19 special election will result in the failure of that initiative: Few taxpayers will agree to a weak spending limit in exchange for more taxes on their heads for three more years.

Chuck DeVore

Assemblyman

(R-Newport Beach)

While this budget does contain some significant victories for California — a stronger spending limit and economic stimulus — it fails to recognize a fundamental truth, California’s government has grown too big. By raising taxes to address the shortfall, it places the bulk of the burden on hardworking taxpayers. The proposal increases the sales tax by 1%, raises the cost of each gallon of gas by 12 cents and doubles the car tax. These taxes will hit Californians on a tight budget particularly hard. I cannot in good conscience ask people losing jobs and homes for even more tax dollars.

Tom Harman

State Senator

(R-Huntington Beach)

These are hard times for many Californians and raising taxes is absolutely the last thing we should do. Taxpayers aren’t at fault for the state’s budget deficit and shouldn’t be forced to bail the state out.

This proposal includes $14.1 billion in new taxes through next year (and more than $70 billion in the next five years) by doubling the car tax, raising the gas tax to nearly 50 cents a gallon, increasing the sales tax and adding a new tax on the state taxes you already pay. This will cost the average family more than $1,200 a year. Just as families are doing, government must tighten its belt like never before. Families are eating out less, cutting back on their cable bill and canceling vacations. Our state must do the same, closing departments that have outlived their usefulness and shrinking those we need to the bare minimum. Only when the waste is gone can taxpayers have faith in our state government.

Van Tran

Assemblyman