Legislator Shish Kabob
Even a guy like me, living on the west side of Los Angeles in the shadow of a government-run art museum currently running an exhibit by contemporary Germans (LACMA), has gotten the news that California conservatives are sticking to their principles in these dark times and opposing things that would bring our society to ruin. Those evils are: European socialism. Governor Schwarzenegger. President Obama. Bailouts. Those gay people who are conservative enough to want to marry. And anyone who negotiates with Democrats.
I’ve been critical of this kind of thinking in this space. I believe I called it cult-like. But the Fullerton rally this weekend shook me up. What people! What power! What principle! And so I’ve been thinking things over, and now I’m sure I got it wrong. I apologize.
So go ahead, conservatives. It’s now or never. Stop the big spending socialists. Keep saying no. Stick to your principles. In fact, take those principle sticks and put some heads on ‘em.
You want to recall the legislators who voted for the budget deal? Recall them.
Don’t Call the Cavalry, Call the Indians
When you hear that budget bugle call for help, the best cavalry out there that could come to our rescue is made up entirely of Indians, members of the California Tribal Gaming Association and their associates. They could have more direct impact on the outcome of California’s economic future than any other group because they’ve bought the legislature several times over at a cost of many millions. They have real clout and it’s in their best interest for the state to recover and succeed quickly so they can once again fill up those blackjack tables and get The Wheel of Fortune spinning to a fare-thee-well.
The evils of gambling could save us all from a fate far worse than hell, bankruptcy.
Sure, the tribes are hurting like everybody else. They’ve made a huge investment in California with their massive increase in ever fancier and more lavish hotel casinos. They may not have as much money as they had just a few months ago, but they’ve got some and they can get more. After all, the only real business comeback you can count on is sin. Alcohol, tobacco, and gambling are our oldest growth economies and the tribes will want to make sure they get their fair share back when the cycle comes around.
Tax Commission: Keep It Simple
When the Governor and Assembly Speaker created the Commission on the 21st Century Economy, aka, “Tax Commission,” their main concern was, in the Governor’s words, “basically just looking for one thing, and that is to create stability.” Indeed, the Governor specifically charged the Commission to “Stabilize state revenues and reduce volatility.”
To assist the Commission in its efforts, the California Foundation for Commerce and Education prepared a brief policy paper examining the state’s tax system to determine if it is broken, and what we are trying to fix. Our conclusion was simple: if you want to fix budget volatility, look no further than Proposition 1A on this May’s statewide special election ballot. But if you want to fix the state’s tax system, you’d better get agreement on defining the problem.