Governor Schwarzenegger claims the voters sent a “clear message” against taxes in the May 19th election. GOP legislators and conservative anti-tax groups are happy to echo him.

While we all know that California needs budget reform, the type of carnival “shell game” that the measures proposed were an insult to Californians. Most voters rejected them because they were short-sighted and unrealistic attempts to “balance” the budget.

One proposition would have given governors unilateral authority, while another would have permitted the sale of bonds based on uncertain future lottery revenues. One measure redirected revenues away from early childhood programs, and one diverted money from the Mental Health Services Act.

How can this be interpreted as the voters saying “no” to taxes? I believe the voters said NO to granting unlimited power to the governor, NO to gambling with our future, and NO to condoning the raiding of funds from our children and those in need.

How did our Golden State fall so far? Why do we, the eighth largest economy in the world, find ourselves without enough financial resources to fund even our most important institutions like education and basic social services?

Yes, the economy is certainly a factor. However, it’s important that Californians take a close look at some of the other factors that have contributed to this fiscal chaos.

A main part of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s platform in his run for governor was reversing the Vehicle License Fee. The loss of revenue from the VLF has cost our state $6 billion per year. He’s been in office since 2003. Do the math.

Even with the current financial crisis, the Governor would not agree to reinstate the VLF to its 2003 status. Apparently his pride is more important than all the pain caused by cuts in education and social programs.

The Republicans would like us to believe that the only way out of this financial crisis is with a cuts-only budget. Not true! The GOP repeatedly rejects solutions put forth by Democratic legislators. And though the Democrats are in the majority, the two-thirds rule prevents them from raising revenue or passing a budget without Republican support.

During the long budget negotiations, Republicans insisted on considering only cuts, not finding new revenue because most signed a “No Tax” pledge. This no-tax pledge is of the most benefit to large corporations, who are not paying their fair share. How can a no-tax pledge supersede a legislator’s oath to serve the people of California?

I urge every Californian to watch the informative video about budget myths on Assembly Budget Committee Chair Noreen Evans’ website. Go to: www.asm.ca.gov/Evans and click on “Budget Reform.”

Please write, call, or email the governor and your state legislators. Tell them it’s time to put the people of California first and have a budget that reflects our values.  We must provide for our children, our elderly, our disabled, and one another.

Let’s make sure that Arnold hears the real message.

by Toni Shellen