Bustamante Presents His Budget Plan

[CMT]

Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante has become the first candidate for Governor to release a detailed budget plan for the state. The plan titled, "Tough Love for California" features:

*Tax increases of $8 Billion
* A constitutional admendment to permit more frequent assessments of Commercial real estate property in an effort to boost property tax revenues.
* Increases in the state Alcohol and cigerette taxes.
* Billions of dollars of cuts in expenses

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-081903recall_lat,1,6060404.story?coll=la-home-headlines

[fob]

1. WHy oh Why would you do this BEFORE Arnie has a chance

to open his big mouth and present his plan, which he's scheduled to do tomorrow. Wait until Arnie speaks and then make sure your plan shows the folly of HIS plan!

Arnie just took a hit for having one of his "advisors" even bring up Prop 13, and now Cruz is using some of those same points! Why do arnie's work for him? Everyone knows that there will HAVE to be some tax money raised, why campaign on arnie's side?

AGHAHAGHAGHGHAHGH!

He should be saying that of course arnie will repeal PROP 13 if he is elected!

[slackmaster]

2. I think you hit it on the head

In this kind of situation the first candidate to open his or her mouth is automatically put on the defensive.

[IndianaGreen]

3. Why lie?

Bustamante is being a responsible elected official by laying out the tough and painful measures that are required to put California's finances in order.

Bustamante gets kudos for refusing to pamper the special interests and for telling it like it is.

[Kolesar]

6. And Bustamante is in the government

He should have credibility. I think that this is a good move.

[Yentatelaventa]

9. I'm not sure it's a good move

When my income is less than spending I tighten my belt and reduce spending. Why would not CA do the same? I can't demand my income go up so why should anyone else be able to?

[The_Counsel]

12. This Is A Better Idea Than We Think...

"When my income is less than spending I tighten my belt and reduce spending. Why would not CA do the same? I can't demand my income go up so why should anyone else be able to?"

Actually he IS planning to tighten the belt. That's what that last bullet, "billions of dollars of cuts in expenses," is all about.

In fact, EVERY state in the Union should take a long, hard look at their expenses cut the truly frivolous ones. We all have them, we just don't think most of them are frivolous. Call it "economic spring cleaning" if you will...

What I'd like to see from Bustamante now would be a detailed breakdown of his expense cuts. Don't just SAY you're going to cut spending: anyone can do that -- and will. Tell us WHERE those cuts will be made and justify it. If Bustamante does that, he'll leave Ah-nold and his "advisors" babbling in the dust.

But that's just my opinion....

[fob]

10. I don't suggest he lie. He should tell the truth, but let the other

guy go first and adapt your solution to his statements so he has nowhere to go.

IG, read the rest of the comments on this thread. I agree with Cruz's plan, he suggested raising taxes on the wealthy and looking at commercial properties that benefit mightily from Prop 13, while the residential properties that turn faster hit the working class much harder. But, and it's a big but, look at the thread responses again, do you see anything familiar? Even DU'ers heard only the words RAISE and TAXES, if that's the response here, how well is that gonna play in the less-informed world?

Arnie was already taking heat for *Buffet* saying Prop 13 and Raise and TAXES, why help him by taking some of the heat off and heaping upon yourself?

[rocktivity]

11. Good! He's just proved he's the only "real" candidate on the ballot

Why SHOULDN'T he act like one? If anything, this plays up his main strength--he's experienced and knows exactly what needs to be done. The longer Arnold takes to answer, the less competent he'll look.


rocknation

[genius]

4. This is supposed to help him win?

This was a dumb idea on his part.

[Undemcided]

5. More taxes?

Yeah this will really fix the problems.
</sarcasm>

[Democat]

7. He probably should have waited for Arnold

Now Arnold will take all the media away from Cruz tomorrow and probably slam him as well.

He should have announced he was running before Arnold, and he didn't. Now he releases his plan a day before Arnold when he should have waited.

Either they have a plan that I don't understand or they don't have a plan at all.

[Yentatelaventa]

8. Running on the promise to raise taxes?

Tough love indeed. How many of us feel undertaxed?