"In the governor's first four years in office, spending increased 36 percent ? far higher than the 5 percent annual increase in the state's population and inflation. "
But, he was reelected.
"As a quid pro quo for campaign contributions from state employees, California employees such as fire fighters and police officers can now retire as early as age 50, with 90 percent of their salary ? among the most generous pensions anywhere. "
Recall the legislature but, it was a proper deal. Consider the years of service when you say 50 at 90.
"Although, by law, tax hikes require two-thirds legislative majority, the governor, by fiat, tripled the state's car tax."
Not so. The law was on the books already. We had a temporary reduction up until this year.
"The governor signed a bill to require employers to grant paid family and medical leave."
He was reelected and don't ya think that is a good law. It is sort of an exigent circumstance...
"Most California businesses saw their workers' compensation premiums double and even triple, while increasing payouts, despite the fact that the number of claims filed actually decreased. "
Directly related to increased health care cost... Davis didn't cause this, did he.
"The state already imposes up to 9.3 percent state income tax, among the country's highest."
Directly related to population needs... reduce population and costs go down.
"California's sales tax is 7.25 percent ? the nation's highest ? with some counties adding on even more."
Same as above.
"During California's so-called energy crisis, the governor dragged taxpayers into the power business. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, " ? experts estimate that California paid about $40 billion too much for power in 2000 and 2001 as energy firms jacked up prices. Adding in the $10 billion of overcharges from the long-term contracts would bring the state's tab for the energy crisis to $50 billion."
We have more here than Davis. We have lots of prior govenors and what they did that resulted in the energy issue.
"Despite the governor's declared "freeze" in hiring, he added 44,000 people to the state payroll. "
And how many left. What was the net affect?
"For the first time since 1940, California lost residents to other states. Over the last several years, many businesses left California for business-friendly states like Utah and Nevada, resulting in a loss, since 2001, of nearly 300,000 jobs in manufacturing alone. This hurts, because, in a state of over 30 million, with almost 15 million tax filers, 11 percent of California taxpayers ? those earning more than $100,000 per year ? pay 80 percent of the state's income tax, while the top 5 percent pay nearly 70 percent of income taxes, and just 330,000 "high-income" taxpayers ? the top 2 percent ? shoulder about 50 percent of the state's income taxes"
Since Pat Brown folks have argued this. The comings and goings are normal with the unitary tax issue.
Davis did not cause the Budget issue and the elements he signed into law suggest the entire legislature should be recalled too..
