Eliminate Government Waste

Teaching fiscal responsibility to public officials.

by: Annette M. Hall
Posted May 23, 2006

California State Capitol Building

It's that time of year again when politicians put on their game face and voters get inundated by a deluge of political spam in their mailboxes. Once again we get to hold our nose and vote for the least offensive man running. Where do these people come from? There must be a special school somewhere for politicians, which teaches them how to beg with a smile all-the-while lying through their teeth.

Proposition 81

The California primary will be held on June 6th and voters are being asked to give even more money to our publicly ran school system that has never learned how to manage it's finances. Take for instance Proposition 81 - California Reading and Literacy Improvement and Public Library Construction and Renovation Bond Act of 2006

This act provides for a bond issue in an amount not to exceed a total of six hundred million dollars ($600,000,000) to provide funds for the construction and renovation of public library facilities in order to expand access to reading and literacy programs in California's public education system and to expand access to public library services for all residents of California.

Fiscal Impact:

State cost of about $1.2 billion over 30 years to pay off both the principal ($600 million) and interest ($570 million) costs of the bonds. One-time local costs (statewide) of about $320 million for local matching contributions.

Voter Information

While the rest of us lowly citizens are forced to tighten our belts to put food on the table the state wants to issue bonds at a cost to taxpayers of $1.2 billion, that's billion with a capital B. If you really believe that pouring money into our libraries is going to increase literacy rates, I've got a bridge to sell you. I've actually visited our public library and I can tell you that people, who don't read, don't visit libraries. Hello!

We have a small but satisfactory library in our community. They just doubled in size and the expansion was supported in part by local fundraiser's like rummage sales, book sales and dinners. If a library is important to the community, the community it serves should support it.

Proposition 82

Yet another proposition: Proposition 82 - Preschool Education. Tax on Incomes Over $400,000 for Individuals; $800,000 for Couples

State of California seeks to tax the "rich" to provide free preschool for all. There is so much wrong with this philosophy that I don't even know where to begin. Taxing those who earn more will have a crippling effect on our economy.

While $400,000 may sound like a great deal of money to those of us who live on far less, that amount of money doesn't go as far as one would think it should when you are a business owner and have payroll expenses to meet, workers compensation and a payroll taxes to pay. Is it any wonder we are seeing jobs leave this country in droves? Not only will taxing those who make more money lead to fewer jobs available for those who need them but it will also put small family owners out of business. My biggest problem with this initiative is that its primary goal is a jobs program for teachers, ensuring that they have guaranteed state paid jobs and that small children are indoctrinated properly and early.

A portion of this initiative will create a teaching credential program for preschool workers. For those who have been following the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) mess, that has created a great deal of controversy, lawsuits and ticked off parents over children who may not graduate. This is more of the same and will worsen our current problem, not provide a viable solution.

Should the California Constitution and state law be amended to create and support a new, publicly funded, voluntary preschool program for children to attend in the year prior to kindergarten, to be funded by an increase in personal income tax rates for high income individuals?

Establishes a right to voluntary preschool for all four-year old children.

Funded by a 1.7% tax on individual incomes above $400,000; $800,000 for couples.

Administered by the state Superintendent of Public Instruction and county school superintendents.

Directs counties to prepare reports on curricula, outreach, facilities, childcare coordination, budgeting, teacher recruitment and pay.

Limits administrative expenses; requires program audits.

Requires state Superintendent to develop a preschool teaching credential with financial aid for credential students.

Excludes revenue from appropriation limits, Proposition 98 calculations.

So, when the politicians come knocking with their hat in their hand this year, just say NO. When our children come to us asking for things they don't really need, all good parents have the sense to say, NO. Voters must begin treating local public officials in the same manner. As taxpayers we can no longer afford to keeping giving and we must take a stand against the high cost of government.

Say What You Mean

When your elected county official comes to you and says:

I will eliminate wasteful spending and employ cost saving measures so that all needs are met in the areas of education, health care, police and fire protection and other vital services.

What he really means is that I will only dole out tax monies for those items that fit his or her personal agenda's.

Cut the Fat

Voters should never get excited about broad statements that promise to eliminate government waste. After all if a candidate were truly interested in eliminating wasteful spending they would abolish their own job immediately upon being elected. The fact is that most government positions could be eliminated and very few people would even notice their absence.

It's time our leaders start cutting the fat and stop spending like there's no tomorrow. The bill is coming due in the very near future and we will all be paying for the mistakes being made today. Trust me: it's going to hurt when we do.

I urge voters to read between the lines of each candidates campaign promises. Vote against candidates that promise the moon, they will deliver an empty pie in the sky and you won't even get a slice. I will be voting down all revenue increases this year and I urge you to do the same. We must all learn to live within our means and it's time our elected officials do the same. Let's all help them get slim and trim.