2008 Woodie Awards
Stabilize economy by saving higher education
Rick Luttmann
Issue date: 10/7/08 Section: Opinion
Three cheers for suggestions for fixing California's dysfunctional budget process!
The unusual requirement that a California budget pass by a 2/3 majority of both the Senate and the Assembly -- a requirement in only two other states -- has for far too long allowed a minority of unrepresentative Republicans to wreak havoc every summer.
They presumably represent their districts, but their "never-any-taxes-no-matter-what-the-social-cost" philosophy is clearly not supported by the vast bulk of the State's citizens -- most of whom are smart enough to know they can't expect to have essential services from the State without paying for them. Anybody up for a Constitutional amendment?
What does it take to persuade a Republican that taxes should be raised? Is there ANYTHING, or would they rather see civilization go down in flames before Governor Schwarzenegger and his rich friends are willing to spring for a few more bucks? It is CLEAR that there is no way to save California in the current circumstances solely by cutting back State spending.
I am particularly concerned about the Governor's 10% cut to the California State University. While it seems that cuts to the CSU may be a facile solution to the state's budget challenges, it is an extremely shortsighted approach that will in fact make things WORSE in the long run.
For every dollar the state invests in California State University students, the return to the economy is $4.41.
What is affected is the workforce: those potential employees who manage the telecom company, serve as elected officials, become the nurses who care for us, or the teachers who pass their knowledge to the next generation. (The CSU educates 60 percent of the teachers in California and 10 percent nationwide.
Teachers are critical to the success of every child and therefore to each person and family living and working in California.) Additionally, the CSU graduates the MAJORITY of professionals in key industries such as nursing, business, agriculture, public administration and technology.
The unusual requirement that a California budget pass by a 2/3 majority of both the Senate and the Assembly -- a requirement in only two other states -- has for far too long allowed a minority of unrepresentative Republicans to wreak havoc every summer.
They presumably represent their districts, but their "never-any-taxes-no-matter-what-the-social-cost" philosophy is clearly not supported by the vast bulk of the State's citizens -- most of whom are smart enough to know they can't expect to have essential services from the State without paying for them. Anybody up for a Constitutional amendment?
What does it take to persuade a Republican that taxes should be raised? Is there ANYTHING, or would they rather see civilization go down in flames before Governor Schwarzenegger and his rich friends are willing to spring for a few more bucks? It is CLEAR that there is no way to save California in the current circumstances solely by cutting back State spending.
I am particularly concerned about the Governor's 10% cut to the California State University. While it seems that cuts to the CSU may be a facile solution to the state's budget challenges, it is an extremely shortsighted approach that will in fact make things WORSE in the long run.
For every dollar the state invests in California State University students, the return to the economy is $4.41.
What is affected is the workforce: those potential employees who manage the telecom company, serve as elected officials, become the nurses who care for us, or the teachers who pass their knowledge to the next generation. (The CSU educates 60 percent of the teachers in California and 10 percent nationwide.
Teachers are critical to the success of every child and therefore to each person and family living and working in California.) Additionally, the CSU graduates the MAJORITY of professionals in key industries such as nursing, business, agriculture, public administration and technology.
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