To take care of Abel.
Here’s Abel Maldonado, the guy who cast the critical vote for a California budget that will raise taxes by $13 billion:
Pay special attention starting around 1:15. Where he rails against new taxes.
What a fraud.
It’s OK. The taxes are only “temporary.” (If there is anyone out there stupid enough to believe that, e-mail me. I have a wager for you.)
Thanks to radio hosts John and Ken.
Pronounced "Patter-EE-koh"
E-mail: Just use my moniker Patterico, followed by the @ symbol, followed by gmail.com
Disclaimer: Simpsons avatar may resemble a younger Patterico...
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Minnesota’s Sales Tax started in 1967, as an emergency measure, at 1% IIRC. Today it’s between 6.5% and 7.5%, higher for some things, or in some places, and a great many more things are taxed.
htom (412a17) — 2/19/2009 @ 4:56 pmI agree this guy is a fool and I agree this vote has cost him his job come the next election, considering his district. But from what I understand, he got some concessions that may help in the future, namely the two amendments he got for his vote.
There will be no pay raises for members of the legislature during any year CA has a budget deficit. I’m not certain exactly what the other amendment is, but when I heard it, I felt there might be some possible chance ten years from now that CA will no longer be the WV of the west.
Yeah, the guy should hang in effigy, but the concessions he got might eventually be beneficial. Not so good for the next 9 years, but possibly good after that. Dunno.
John Hitchcock (fb941d) — 2/19/2009 @ 4:59 pmI think I can safely predict that none of the provisions Maldonado got as concessions will ever be implemented.
AD - RtR/OS (674119) — 2/19/2009 @ 5:02 pmThose taxes will be permanent, and they will go up the next time the Leftists in the CA legislature need more money.
JD (03563c) — 2/19/2009 @ 5:03 pmI have mixed feelings about this. This guy had the opportunity to put ANY initiative on the ballot. This isn’t particularly conservative, but what I want in a Proposition is:
+ Candy to democrats: decrease budget vote requirement from 66% to 60%.
+ Decrease “schools” take on entire general budget from 40% to 30%.
+ Repeal Rob Reiner’s multi-billion dollar cigarette tax fund, and direct that money to the general budget.
+ Repeal the $6 billion (with int) Stem Cell spending, because Obama wants to do that himself.
+ Repeal the $20 billion (with int) Coast Train thing that will never have 100,000,000 passengers a year as claimed.
+ Agreement from Teachers Union and SEIU that they would not campaign against this.
—
Wesson (3ab0b8) — 2/19/2009 @ 5:07 pmNot only is Maldanaldo a sellout, he is stupid and incompetent. Conservativism is dead in California only becuase elected conservatives are totally incompetent and stupid.
I would have been disappointed in anything else.I don’t know if anyone noted an earlier post where I noted I believe there is now a positive feedback mechanism at work pushing California to more financial excess.I will go on a limb-unlike ,say Paul Krugman et al and predict the next round will be preceded by an exodus of more productive people and an even bigger nut to swallow.As much as I dislike the ex,this is abad thing to do to the entiere state.I’m thinking of revoking my curse.
corwin (92a8f4) — 2/19/2009 @ 5:09 pmcorwin – FWIW, Krugman is a mendoucheous little midget person what rarely is right about anything. If he told me what time it was, I would double check to make sure it was not lying to me. Much like Hacks.
JD (03563c) — 2/19/2009 @ 5:21 pmConservatism is dead in California.
Wesson (3ab0b8) — 2/19/2009 @ 5:21 pmOut-migration from CA has averaged 140K/year (net) the last decade – it will now accelerate to the range of 175-200K within five years. Either get a job with government, or get out; there aren’t any attractive alternatives.
AD - RtR/OS (674119) — 2/19/2009 @ 5:24 pm[…] Patterico, behold the “Republican” who made California’s $13 billion tax increase possible. […]
Hot Air » Blog Archive » Video: California legislator who voted for tax hike rips on … tax hikes (e2f069) — 2/19/2009 @ 5:40 pmThere should be extra heavy traffic on the 10 east out of LA for the next year…
phreshone (aad71d) — 2/19/2009 @ 5:56 pmAnd has been for many many years. Please, somebody buy my house so I can escape.
Old Coot (7721b8) — 2/19/2009 @ 6:03 pmMaldonado has ended his career. After this, he won’t even be able to get a lobbyist job. I do think this budget is a tipping point. I’m working on plans to leave in the next year or so. I was thinking about it five years ago but waited too long.
What is a shame is thinking about this state when I came here 53 years ago. Yes, there was smog in the late summer and early fall but the state was a beautiful place.
The Republican politicians made a pact with the Democrats at the time of the last census to preserve their seats. Every seat was gerrymandered for both parties. The Republicans were wiling to be legislated into a minority party, a bit like the Congress before Newt Gingrich. California is not as openly corrupt as Illinois but it is getting close.
Mike K (2cf494) — 2/19/2009 @ 6:09 pmRaising taxes isn’t very ‘Republican’. Raising taxes in a recession? Remember when even Democrats wouldn’t consider that?
Obama promised us a tax cut as part of the bottom 95%. Then he changed the % and cut me off. Arnold is raising Cali taxes. Trash is going up $10/a month in April. I can’t be the only one without a pay raise facing significant increases in government takings. And I can’t be the only one that will respond by pulling back spending dramatically. Who gave the keys to the country and state to economic idiots?
EBJ (437cb7) — 2/19/2009 @ 6:32 pmThe only reason I stay is most of my family is here.
Maldonado’s vote was all kabuki. The Reps knew they had to vote for it. The party caucuses determine everything. I’m sure Maldonado will get a cushy appointment to maybe the CUIAB, which grows every time a favorite pol is voted out. $150K a year with no work, and you can flip the bird to your former constituents. Sweet!
Patricia (89cb84) — 2/19/2009 @ 7:00 pmOne of the nicest things about California is the weather and the sunshine. They should tax nice days. Say every day where it is sunny for at least 2/3rds of the day everyone pays a $2.00 surcharge.
I now live in Western Washington and would gladly pay two bucks for a sunny day at this time of year.
I don’t know why they did not think of this.
Huey (9b29e0) — 2/19/2009 @ 7:40 pmWell, the changes he forced will save me about $500 over the previous plan, so I’m not sure how annoyed I’ll be.
Sure, I’d rather see them dock every state and local government employee to fully fund CalPERS so the rest of us don’t have to foot the bill, but that ain’t going to happen, so I’ll take what I can get.
Kevin Murphy (0b2493) — 2/19/2009 @ 8:16 pmIf there is anyone out there stupid enough to believe that,
Well, you’re describing a large percentage of the California electorate, meaning all the nitwits who love the idea of a state that is very blue, very pro-Democrat-Party.
Conservativism is dead in California only becuase elected conservatives are totally incompetent and stupid.
Actually, conservatism is dead in the “Golden” state for the same reason that conservatism is dead in, say, Mexico, Venezuela, Massachusetts, South Africa, New York City, France, South-Central Los Angeles. Simply put, a plethora of people who are suckers for simpleminded, lazy, half-assed liberalism. It really is as simple as that.
Mark (411533) — 2/19/2009 @ 9:35 pm[…] Based on Maldonado’s vote this morning, the voters should’ve elected Abel’s father. (via Patterico) […]
We should’ve elected his father at Hoystory (6855c0) — 2/19/2009 @ 9:41 pmI have heard that the lease’s and profits from drilling for oil and gas would put California back in the black or a least a lot closer to it.
Making America more energy independent,taking care of budget problems without raising taxes,and creating jobs.
This plan had no chance in California’s Senate.
Raising taxes more than 12 billion during a recession did.
Stuck on Stupid.
Baxter Greene (8035ae) — 2/19/2009 @ 10:08 pmSomewhere is my fathers effects is a letter from the US Federal Government saying the income tax was temporary and would never go above 2%.
Liars
tyree (5624c2) — 2/19/2009 @ 10:42 pmTyree, do you have any idea how much that is WORTH these days?
Scott Jacobs (90ff96) — 2/20/2009 @ 12:01 amOf course the taxes are temporary. In 3 billion years, the sun will blow up, frying the planet and ending all earthly taxation.
tim maguire (4a98f0) — 2/20/2009 @ 6:53 amCould be worse.
The Dana who doesn't live in California, but does live in the United States, and sees the government getting way too intrusive (3e4784) — 2/20/2009 @ 7:29 amI just hope I can find that letter. If I can, I will send a copy to all of my elected officials.
I do have a letter for our Federal Government that relates to a foreign born worker he hired. It states in the letter that the bond he posted to allow her entry into the country would be forfeit if she EVER took any aid intended for American citizens. Those laws are still on the books, Nancy Pelosi’s “Culture of Corruption” just doesn’t enforce them.
tyree (5624c2) — 2/20/2009 @ 7:39 amre: #24
Is there any intrusion that is beyond the pale for liberals today? Anything? Is there anything that they will not seek to control and limit by taxation or fiat?
quasimodo (edc74e) — 2/20/2009 @ 7:47 amI suggest, seriously, that in the next election you elect a government of restaurant owners and not lawyers or other “businessmen”. (And, for God’s sake, not actors.) Restaurant owners understand margin. They know that no matter what the income, costs must be kept down. Who will look to buy the tomatoes that cost one penny less each than the other guy’s.
(Their kitchen staff also runs out the back when they hear the word “Migra” but that’s a different discussion. đ )
nk (b70aca) — 2/20/2009 @ 7:53 amnk, you have a great point. Our elected officials often don’t know much about anything relating to accounting and business practices.
In the otherwise forgettable movie “Dave,” Charles Grodin plays an accountant who Kevin Kline brings in to review the Federal Budget.
“If I did things like this, I would go to prison,” he exclaimed after a few moments.
Tru dat.
Eric Blair (ec334b) — 2/20/2009 @ 8:01 amIt is ironic that of “death and taxes”, it seems that “death” is more likely avoidable.
Kevin Murphy (0b2493) — 2/20/2009 @ 8:16 amWell, Mr Murphy, so far I’ve never died, but I’ve paid taxes many times.
The immortal Dana (3e4784) — 2/20/2009 @ 9:08 amComment by Kevin Murphy â 2/20/2009 @ 8:16 am
…and some would say less intrusive.
AD - RtR/OS (809bad) — 2/20/2009 @ 9:25 amMe and Mr. Maldonado, we are NOT okay. He’s on my list is what he is. The one what has America-hating Arlen and the lobsterpot bimbos on it. That’s how not okay we are, Mr. Maldonado.
happyfeet (71f55e) — 2/20/2009 @ 9:26 amWe are not alone in this madness….
AD - RtR/OS (809bad) — 2/20/2009 @ 9:32 am** from: The Spectator.co.uk **
“Want a big bonus? Get yourself a public sector job…
Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling rail against bankersâ bonuses. But, says Ross Clark, the really appetising salaries, perks, expense packages and pensions are to be found in the public sector. A terrible reckoning lies ahead for the last fat cats …”
Our elected officials often donât know much about anything relating to accounting and business practices.
Since most are lawyers straight out of school, what would you expect? If they’d had real jobs previously (like our host), that would be a much different reality for them.
Dmac (49b16c) — 2/20/2009 @ 9:39 amForgot to add that when you bring up the reality of taxes inevitably being regressive in nature, they look at you like they have no idea what the hell you’re talking about.
Dmac (49b16c) — 2/20/2009 @ 9:40 amAs I have stated previously, IMO lawyers should be constitutionally barred from holding legislative office.
AD - RtR/OS (809bad) — 2/20/2009 @ 9:50 am33. indeed. to wit- the assclown running the USPS which has a multi-billion dollar deficit is getting a far bonus check as he calls for increased postal rates and fewer delivery days.
Even so, you have to wonder why private corporations, especially banks reward ceo’s and other hotshots huge bonuses and golden parachutes. The more you feck up, the more you are apparently worth to the board?
aoibhneas (0c6cfc) — 2/20/2009 @ 9:53 amDemocrats never keep their promises. Ask George H. W. Bush, who was rolled by the Democrats on taxes. To Democrats, there is always one more vote buying scheme that is more important than behaving honorably.
Honest Democrat is a contradiction in terms.
Ken Hahn (ef772b) — 2/20/2009 @ 10:05 amA terrible reckoning lies ahead for the last fat cats âŚâ
Funny you should mention that. I’d say that covers some probable outcomes on many levels, both lower and higher. Only a few posts here ever dwell on global dynamics, but I hope some readers appreciate a little foreshadowing that ameliorates that ‘we never saw that coming’ thing. I’ll simply title it…What the American press missed about Davos. Don’t bother clicking if you aren’t all that concerned about international ‘change’ sans the hope part. One note first, and that is that the author pointed out that ‘Bama the Crimson Tide [red ink rising]
missed it bad by not sitting in with the big boys and taking his lumps and getting chummy with the players, but rather sent Geithner who proceeded to insult and scare our principal foreign creditors (for now anyway). Like putting a banjo hitter in the clean-up spot. Worse, the UK sent no one. Bad kitties hiding in the cabinet?
So what was all the pre-election fuss about being such great diplomats and negotiators?
Disclaimer: I just link this for the quotes, not the diatribes and rants. Neither of which interest me in the least.
The cat may not be out of the bag, but the meowing is getting louder.
allan (dcd691) — 2/20/2009 @ 10:58 amThe irony of Franklin’s “Nothing is certain but death and taxes” comment was that it was assumed that Death was the one thing that was certain. He asserted that Taxes were just as certain.
What with medical science and whatnot, it just might come to pass that Death is no longer certain. But TAXES are ever more so.
Kevin Murphy (805c5b) — 2/20/2009 @ 12:01 pmKevin Murphy, how are you saying money?!
It was my understanding too that some of these changes are really just ballot measures, to be voted down I’m sure after the sob stories by pols about “catastrophe.”
Patricia (89cb84) — 2/20/2009 @ 12:48 pmI mean …saving money?
Patricia (89cb84) — 2/20/2009 @ 12:49 pmPatte, here is even more & greater reason to raise CANE.
Sturgeon filleted.
See the obscene & perverted deal the corrupt California judges, state legislature and Guv. Girlie Man put together behind the backs of the People in direct contempt of the recently decided (and finalized) case of Sturgeon v. LA County (see below) while California is facing a budget deficit of $42 BILLION. All while the country’s economy is in free fall and while all the pols of LA City, LA County and the state are begging the feds for funds.
President Obama today said he will scrutinize all the fed funds given in the “stimulus” package, to states, counties & cities, for any abuse & waste in the spending and will not tolerate it. Here is a TEST CASE for him.
Here is the 2/18/09 Metropolitan News-Enterprise page one article
âLawmakers Pass Bill to Keep Local Benefits for Trial Judgesâ
By KENNETH OFGANG, Staff Writer
http://www.metnews.com/articles/2009/stur021809.htm
————————
The California Legislature has approved a bill that would allow counties to continue paying benefits to supplement the salaries of Superior Court judges.
Lawmakers, locked in over the weekend as they battled to fix the state budget, approved SBX2 11 by Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento. The bill, which was introduced on Wednesday of last week, passed the Senate Saturday by a vote of 32-6 and passed the Assembly Sunday by a vote of 69-3, clearing it for action by the governor.
The bill references last yearâs ruling in Sturgeon v. County of Los Angeles (2008) 167 Cal.App.4th 630, which held that benefits that can top $46,000 per year per judge, paid by the county to Los Angeles Superior Court judges, were unconstitutional because only the Legislature could determine judicial compensation.
Reliance Cited
The bill declares that â[n]umerous counties and courts established local or court supplemental benefits to retain qualified applicants for judicial office, and trial court judges relied upon the existence of these longstanding supplemental benefits provided by the counties or the court.â
Under SBX2 11, counties and courts that currently supplement judgesâ salaries with benefits will continue to do so, subject to termination on 180 daysâ notice. Notwithstanding any such termination, however, benefits would continue to be paid until the end of each judgeâs term, or, at the countyâs election, until each judge then receiving benefits leaves the bench.
The bill also immunizes all public entities and officers against any liability resulting from past payment of local judicial benefits and directs the Judicial Council to report to the Legislature, no later than the end of this year, with regard to the âstatewide benefits inconsistencies.â
Judges in other counties have long complained that their benefits are far less generous than those paid by Los Angeles County, which include participation in the countyâs âMegaFlexâ cafeteria benefits programâwhich allows a beneficiary to receive additional taxable income equal to 19 percent of salary, or benefits costing the county an equal amountâalong with a âprofessional development allowanceâ and a 401(k) match of up to four percent of the judgeâs salary.
Included Benefits
SBX2 specifies that the benefits that counties or individual courts may pay âshall include federally regulated benefits…and deferred compensation plan benefits, such as 401(k) and 457 plans…and may also include professional development allowances.
Sterling Norris of Judicial Watch, who represented the plaintiff in Sturgeon, told the MetNews yesterday he had just learned of the billâs adoption and had not yet read it.
Richard I. Fine, a Beverly Hills attorney who was not involved in Sturgeon but has long attacked the benefits, said it was âoutrageous that they can pass a bill that will remove the basic rights of over 10 million residents of Los Angeles County within days and will further the corruption that has occurred in this county while they cannot pass a budget in months.â
Veto Requested
Fine, who called upon the governor to veto the bill, said he thought it was unconstitutional because it does not explicitly define the benefits as âcompensation,â delegates to the counties the authority to decide if and when the benefits terminate, and impermissibly permits counties to create monetary incentives for candidates to seek judgeships, which he said is exclusively a state function.
Los Angeles Superior Court spokesman Alan Parachini said the court, which hired lobbyist and former Assemblyman Burt Margolin at the rate of $10,000 per month to seek legislation undoing Sturgeon, said the court thought it was appropriate to âwork with the [California Judges Association] and the county to cure the legislative defectâ identified by the Court of Appeal.
He declined to handicap the billâs prospects of becoming law. âI would never try to predict what Gov. Schwarzenegger will do, he said.
Copyright 2009, Metropolitan News Company
___________________________________
This craven conduct by the judges, politicians and Guv. Girlie Man show California has clearly fallen off the cliff. And recall the saying that, “California is a trend setter. As California goes, so goes the nation.”
And they gave them retroactive immunity. So much for separation of powers, the so-called checks & balances. We the People are not sovereign, but fools if we tolerate this crap sandwich.
Gary L. Zerman (43725e) — 2/20/2009 @ 7:19 pmWhat Abel Maldonado got was an open prinary system — it was a personal graft to him, to ensure that he can defend his seat from a primary opponent on the right, by bringing in any number of Democrats to vote for him in the Republican primary.
No doubt including Acorn’s key interest group, Imaginary-Americans.
Surprised none of the commenters caught this particular pay-for-play deal of his.
Kevin R.C. O'Brien (40ddcb) — 2/23/2009 @ 9:37 am