| In a poll released yesterday, PPIC shows some major movement. 75% of the state thinks California is on the "wrong track" with only 18% saying it is on the right track. Californians are looking for an end to the budget impasse, and are frustrated with their leaders. The poll has got a bunch of interesting numbers, so let's dive right in.
First, let's put to rest the tax revolt question. When asked the question, do you prefer higher taxes and higher services or lower taxes and lower services, 51% favored higher services and taxes while only 41% favor lower taxes and services. The Republican talking point that Californians just don't want to pay higher taxes, and that taxes are a sin runs completely counter to what Californians actually think. We want a functional government that works for all Californians, not one that leaves most of us behind. Furthermore, 52% of the state wants higher taxes NOW. 8% want taxes only, no cuts, but that ship has already sailed, hasn't it? Only 33% of Californians want a cuts only budget. Furthermore, a wide range of specific taxes find favor with the state. An increase on the top 1% (72%), increasing the VLF (58%), and alcohol excise tax (85%) are among the favored revenue increases. Yet, the 2/3 rule has allowed Republicans to bend the state to its will. It is a case of the majority being controlled by a minority.
On that note, Californians are looking for major structural reform. From the mixed numbers, it's not clear that which way they want to go, but surely the grass must be greener elsewhere. On the plus side, 54% of Californians favor shifting the 2/3 budget requirement to 55%. The question was asked specifically tied to the 55% number on the budget alone. The issue of eliminating the 2/3 requirement for statewide taxes was not asked in this survey, which I think was a mistake. They did ask about decreasing the 2/3 requirement for passing local taxes, and that is favored at a 50-44 clip. Both of these measures would substantially help fix some of the tyranny of the minority we're facing, but we also need that third piece of the puzzle of the 2/3 requirement for taxes.
On somewhat of a downer note, apparently 70% of Californians favor a spending cap of some sort. The question is not all specific about what that means. Does it mean that we are restricted to spending only what revenue comes in? That of course would be what we currently have. Does it mean we can only spend what came in the prior year? That wouldn't really be all that onerous, it would just mean a year lag. But if it is a hard pegged at a percentage (ie some sort of COLA/inflationary) measure, that would be entirely unacceptable. However, there is no way to really drill down in this poll, so language for any proposed cap would be critical.
As for our leaders, well, Arnold remains pat at about 40%. It's where he's been in the last few polls, and about the same numbers as post 2005 special election. Congress gets pretty poor numbers across the board, while President Obama gets pretty solid numbers across the board. About 62% of the state thinks he will be a "strong and capable president."
We obviously have a lot of work left to do to accomplish some of the important reforms that the state needs over the next 2-4 years, but the groundwork is there. It is just a matter of making a strong case and letting the chips fall where they may on the ballot. We cannot continue to let the Republican Kamikaze Party take the state down with them. |
