Dems Scare Voters, Protect Unions

Steven Greenhut: Sen. Bob Huff, R-Diamond Bar, the vice chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, issued a statement today blasting Democratic hysteria over coming budget cuts:

“I’m disappointed to see Democrats resort to scaring the public by threatening to close schools, and reduce public safety in an attempt to wrestle support for $50 billion worth of unpopular tax increases and extensions. Senate Democrats already rejected a number of Governor Brown’s spending cuts in his original budget proposal – and instead chose to raid special accounts like user paid Off Highway Vehicle Funds and other one-time gimmicks and phony cuts to close the gap. These one-time gimmicks and raids will only result in multi-billion budget deficits in future years. Although the Majority Party considered more cuts to close the remaining budget gap during today’s hearing, let’s be honest, Democrats have little credibility on true spending reductions. Democrats and their public employee unions have said no to compromise. They’ve said no to Republican proposals to control spending. They’ve said no to pension reform. They’ve said no to reforms that will generate new jobs and business. Some Senate Republicans have outlined needed reforms to reach a budget agreement that benefits all Californians. Our position has not changed. Our door remains open. We call on the Governor and the Majority Party to join us in negotiations to craft a true compromise agreement – and not resort to scare tactics that put children and our public safety at risk.”

Huff is right. However, he is one of the state’s biggest supporters of redevelopment — those big-government local agencies that abuse property rights and lavish tax dollars on big developers. It’s too bad Republicans wouldn’t agree to shave $1.7 billion from the deficit by ending redevelopment — one of the few proposals that Gov. Jerry Brown has gotten right.

APRIL 7, 2011