Fact-Check The Budget

Steven Greenhut: The Republicans are doing something useful for a change. Here’s a statement from Assemblyman Jim Nielsen:

Assemblyman Jim Nielsen (R-Gerber) announced today that in order to better inform Californians about how their tax dollars are being spent by the government, Assembly Republicans are launching www.CABudgetFactCheck.com, an interactive, non-partisan web site, dedicated to provide key budget facts.

“We live in a day and age when we can and should empower the greater public by sharing with them various studies, facts and findings which influence the legislative decision-making process in the government,” said Nielsen. “For example, there has been a great deal of noise about tax increases and how that should be the solution to the California budget deficit.  However, revenues are growing at a strong pace; in fact, personal income tax collections are 10 billion dollars higher than what the Governor projected previously, proving once again that the real problem that we have is state spending and not the lack of adequate revenues.”

Nielsen said that through this new medium available to all Californians, they now have the opportunity to hold government more accountable and investigate in greater depth crucial state issues which impact their lives and pocketbooks.

The web site is meant to be interactive, allowing individuals to leave comments, ask questions, or share their opinions in writing and even video format.

“Over the past few years, many fee and tax proposals like the ‘Fire Tax,’ that impact people’s lives, have been inserted into the budget with little to no public or legislative input,” said Nielsen. “Through this new medium, you will now have the chance to see the entire picture and to participate in the budget process.  I encourage all Californians to express their opinions and ideas through this new website.”

JAN. 10, 2012