Supervisor Antonovich Speaks on the State's Fiscal Crisis

6.05.09 -- Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich speaks on the State of California's fiscal crisis and calls on Governor Schwarzenegger and the legislature to implement significant structural reforms rather than the irresponsible and reckless plan to borrow from local government revenues.

In a recent letter to Governor Schwarzenegger, Supervisor Antonovich recommended the appointment of a five-member Blue Ribbon commission with representatives from Californias top business schools to develop structural reforms within 60 days -- and call for a special session of the legislature to immediately implement them.

The seven suggested reforms include:

1.CONSOLIDATING AND ELIMINATING STATE AGENCIES WITH DUPLICATIVE AND/OR UNNEEDED RESPONSIBILITIES - We need to rebuild the foundation -- not rearrange the furniture on the top floor of a collapsing building. For example, the Franchise Tax Board and the Board of Equalization could be combined for a savings of several million dollars.

2.A 2-YEAR BUDGET - This would enable school boards, county governments and city governments to have a consistent funding stream to prepare its own financial agenda for public safety, schools, libraries and parks.

3.ELIMINATING NON-ESSENTIAL COMMISSIONS AND REPLACING SALARIED COMMISSIONERS WITH $100 STIPEND PER MEETING

4. A PART-TIME LEGISLATURE - We have a full-time legislature that hasnt done the job many states have with part-time legislatures. When not in session, part-time legislators can get back in the classroom teaching or serving the public in healthcare, business or farming -- whatever their position in the private sector is. It would bring a sense of reality to the legislative process, allow citizen lawmakers to bring valuable professional experience to the legislative process and reduce the high costs for excessive legislation.

5. REPEALING TERM LIMITS - Term limits have been a disservice that promotes instability and an inexperienced legislature.

6.ELIMINATING LEGISLATION THAT REQUIRES MORE DOLLARS TO PASS THAN RECIPIENTS WILL RECEIVE

7. REFORMING CIVIL SERVICE - We need to bring our civil service system into the 21st century.

California state government needs reform -- not band-aids that allow business as usual.

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