Looking at the most recent Public Policy Institute poll on
the state budget situation, it is clear not much has changed in the public’s
view. The numbers have bumped a few points here and there but generally the
poll respondents have stayed on the same road they have been on: we want to
vote; we like Jerry Brown’s overall thinking, but when it comes to specific tax
increases-no thanks. Oh yeah, those spending limits and rainy day funds are a
good idea – and we should cut prisons.
Comparing these results to recent polls, Yogi Berra’s famous
saying comes to mind: it’s déjà vu all over again.
For those who would argue that the people’s vision is
blurry, if not downright dim-witted, I would submit the response to the first
question PPIC reports on: The state’s biggest problem is jobs and the economy.
52% of likely voters make that judgment. Budget and taxes is a distant second
at 16%. The people understand that if jobs increase and the economy improves,
the budget and tax situation will be taken care of.
Trust in state government is low. 81% of likely voters say
they can trust state government to do the right thing only some of the time or
never. Local government makes out a little better with 65% of likely voters
concerned that local government would not do the right thing.
It makes one wonder if local government will close that gap
in a negative way if people understood the ramifications of Senator Darrell
Steinberg’s bill SB 653 to give local governments the power to raise taxes
(with voter approval), including local income taxes?
Both state and local governments fare poorly in the voters
mind on how they handle taxpayer money. A whopping 58% of likely voters say
state government wastes taxpayer’s money "a lot."
Looking at the poll numbers, it is understandable that the
public employee unions are pressing legislative allies to get the tax business
done in the legislature and leave the people out of the equation.
But, Governor Brown believes if the taxes are on the ballot
he can make his case and convince voters. As
I’ve written before, I don’t believe Brown will turn his back on his
promise to give the people a chance to vote on taxes.
One thing is clear, with all the months of talk of the
people voting on taxes increases that goes back to the gubernatorial campaign,
the governor and legislature risk stirring up a hornet’s nest of angry voters
if they don’t give Californians a chance to vote.
The bottom line in the poll is that the people want to vote
on the budget issues. Give them options, put taxes and budget reforms on the
ballot, and let’s get on with it.