Mercury News editorial: Brown keeps trust with voters by vetoing sham budget
Posted: 06/16/2011 12:45:48 PM PDT
Gov. Jerry Brown kept his promise.
He has said for months that he would refuse to sign a budget filled with gimmicks. That's exactly what Democrats in the Legislature sent him Wednesday, and he quickly vetoed it, saying, "I don't want to see more billions in borrowing, legal maneuvers that are questionable, and a budget that will not stand the test of time."
Can we get an "amen" to that?
But while Brown kept faith with voters, his fellow Democrats in the Legislature did not. They passed a budget full of legal and financial tricks that were dubious at best, solely so they could keep receiving their paychecks. This tramples the spirit of last November's Proposition 25, which is supposed to withhold legislators' pay for every day they miss the June 15 deadline for a balanced budget. No wonder legislators have a 9 percent approval rating.
This Democratic budget and the one pitched by Republicans last month include devastating cuts, questionable revenue projections and maneuvers that kick the can down the road. All they do is strengthen the case for Brown's plan, which includes extending some taxes temporarily. But that plan would require four Republican votes that so far have not materialized.
So where does Brown go from here?
The same place he has been for months: the negotiating table. And all Californians should be helping him persuade four Republicans to agree to a deal -- including pension reform and a possible spending cap -- to put the tax extensions on the ballot. Not enact them, just let voters decide.
We've now seen the other options from both parties, and Brown's plan remains the best one to get California back on track.
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