On Friday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger finally approved a state budget. To make ends meet in our state, he was forced to raise taxes ““ a move he defends, saying he did “what the majority of Californians want to do,” according to the Los Angeles Times.
Many fellow party members have railed against Schwarzenegger for raising taxes instead of cutting government spending. But the governor said he has “drastically slashed” spending already, and the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin reports that even with this tax hike, many more jobs will be lost, especially in higher education, welfare funding, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and other public service sectors.
This board heartily approves of the state coming through and making any budget whatsoever. California has been in turmoil while this crisis has been batted back and forth across party lines in the state capital. Higher taxes are unfortunate, but to be fair, income taxes have not increased in this state in 17 years. If residents want to see any sort of end to the state’s abysmal money problems, they’re going to have to bite the bullet and pay a little more for it.