Commentary: Erwin Chemerinsky on California's Budget Crisis

[danielcooper1000]

We can never find justice at the hands of corrupt judges. (See youtube videos) Judge To Judge On Illegal_Payments To Judges---Evil Triangle of Court Corruption---Richard Fine---Dr shirley Moore---SBX 211. Now is the time to be heard. The fight to end this title wave of corruption in our country must start with the corrupt judges. Show your support now or wait untill your fate is at the hands of corrupt judges.

[andrewrosso]

They shouldnt change the constituion. Why so they can pass the biggest tax increase in the history of man kind like they did and all they need is a party vote please.

[granskare]

I think if the so-called 'term limits' had not been passed, CA would have experienced legislators instead of lobbyists writing legislation...the problems in my opinion came with the rising energy price manipulations that came from total de-reg of energy prices...lots of states have legislators that only think of their reelection and that's why we also have problems with deficits...Iowa GOP candidates wanted budget cuts...but Gov Culver outsmarted them with his 10% cuts so now the GOP is quiet.

[cmorey103]

These comments remind me of why we are in this fix and why we are not likely to get out of it. California Republicans believe that they can avoid doing good thinking and fiscal planning by simply tossing out the word "socialist" and knee-jerking around dramatically casting blame on everyone else. Their very desperate hope is that with all this gesticulating, no one will notice that the fat cats are getting fatter. And the "fat" they are trimming belongs to the people least capable of losing it.

[October1]

You guys want to have social programs...someone has to pay for them professor....

[rjm51a]

Like all socialists, this professor's solution is ultimately to raise taxes. Every program is essential, every program is needed. He himself says that 1% of the population pays 50% of the state income taxes. I'm sure he feels that 60%, 70%, even 80% is fair but he just can't raise enough funds. Cut spending? Never!!! So his only remaining solution is to raise the taxes on everyone else. The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.

[duanescot]

crucial social programs my ass, California is the poster child for why liberal policies and entitlment programs DON'T work.

[hammerofuglytruth]

Republicans are blocking tax increases?(I'm not one BTW) How about the voters Mr. Chemerinsky or were you paying attention to the last election? The voters expressed their will. No one is entitled to our tax dollars(welfare dependents, civil service employees, politicians, friends of politicians,schools who's administrators and teachers are incompetent)

[bboucharde]

Page 3. I will have to research administrative and labor law to see if the state (for example) will have to declare bankruptcy in order to break the stranglehold of the unions like CSEA & the SEIU. Counties and cities must follow suit. Honest & honorable city managers can join forces with local chambers of commerce to review all city employee salaries. For example, we could find a secretary for $50,000 per year instead of $100,000! Structural change? Yes: Stop the unions & stop the Socialists!

[bboucharde]

Page 2. This problem will take years to fix. The state & local governments can start by examining the benefits & compensation of EVERY government employee in the state. Thousands of municipal, county, & state employees in California are paid windfall wages that are completely unreasonable, fiscally irresponsible, and unnecessary. Example: The city manager's secretary where I lived (100 miles no. of Sacto) receives more than $100,000 per year! This is for a glorified clerk.... See page 3.

[bboucharde]

Dean Erwin Chemerinsky,

I disagree with you, 100%. The problem is not a shortage of revenue; it is an excess of spending. I worked in Calif for 38 years before I saw conditions deteriorate and moved out (along with my bank accounts & business). Your pathetic argument that children and hospital patients will be wandering into oblivion if Calif taxpayers won't approve confiscatory property taxes does not wash. We have heard this all before and it falls on deafened ears. See my p. 2.

[ispeedtoo]

Structural changes do not do anything except it give this Ass the ability to use one Political party to tax California to excess of 15 or 25% of their income.

BS

[craterman01999]

Your an idiot! Businesses are leaving your state left and right to escape your higher and higher tax burden. Your state government needs to shrink drastically. It will shrink drastically. This is one of very few good things about this economic crisis. Governments (at least state's) will shrink.

[PianoMo88]

Prop 13 was our downfall for sure. Pity, this used to be the best state in the union.

[RamFan4u]

If you are so sympathetic to the plight of the impoverished, students and the sick why don't we start with severly cutting your paycheck and cutting the paychecks of others like you....Who are vastly overpaid.

[jsmythib]

you are a fool. Havent you noticed you cant continue to rob the people? Did you ever think that unlimited granting and help to education has given it an *unlimited basket of money? driving prices up to the collapse you will now suffer? root cause- Good luck out there you nut- your not getting any money from my state, go get a job in mexico to fund your state designed garbage.