Welcome to the March Health and Medicine issue of NorthBay biz. This month, in addition to looking at what’s happening locally in the medical industry, we feature a special report on development and construction in the North Bay. So please enjoy all the distinct local coverage as NorthBay biz continues its 36-year tradition of serving the best interests of the business community in the North Bay.
In last year’s March issue, my column revolved around California’s massive, multi-billion dollar budget deficit. As implausible as this might sound, guess what this year’s column is going to tackle? Yup, the exact same issue. Actually, over the years, I’ve written at least a dozen columns on this recurring, seemingly unsolvable problem. The years roll by. Elections come and go, but nothing changes. The state economy continues to worsen. Jobs flee the state as lemmings over a cliff escaping confiscatory taxes and stifling regulations. In survival mode, exacerbated by this economy, more businesses elect to move out of state before they’re forced to close, further eroding our shrinking tax base.
And what have we done year after year to stem this negative tide? You’re right—more of the same—more spending, higher taxes and more regulations.
Yet, hope does spring eternal. In our new Governor’s state-of-the-state address, which primarily focused on non-structural spending cuts and his insistence on a special election on his tax proposals, buried deeply near the end of his speech was this paragraph: “We must also face the long-term challenge of ensuring that our public pensions are fair to both taxpayers and workers alike. Finally, at a time when more than 2 million Californians are out of work, we must search out and strip away any accumulated burdens or unreasonable regulations that stand in the way of investment and job creation.” Hallelujah. A glimmer, a hope for fiscal sanity. Is it possible that circumstances are finally right that root causes of our economic dysfunction can be addressed head on? Is the can finally too big to be kicked down the road yet again?
Certainly more things have to happen before the Governor brings these briefly alluded to items to the fore. Special interests still wield far too much control in Sacramento. The first thing that has to happen is the tax hike/extension must be on the ballot in a special election this summer. And then it needs to be soundly rejected by the voters forcing Sacramento to put their financial house in order by reducing the state’s spending in a meaningful and lasting way.
In a recent Public Policy Institute poll, the voters indicated, by a two-to-one margin, that they did want an opportunity to cast a vote on taxes. At first, I was surprised to see that result. However, in the same poll, results also showed: 60 percent of voters were opposed to an income tax hike, 69 percent opposed a sales tax hike and 66 percent opposed higher vehicle fees. I guess voters have finally had it and want their voices heard and heeded—and that’s exactly the message that needs to be delivered to the Governor and Sacramento.
Here’s another thought: In the upcoming special election tentatively scheduled for this June, how about we add a few more choices for the electorate to vote on? Especially since Jerry Brown, channeling himself from his hippie years, exclaimed in his state-of-the-state speech, “All political power is inherent in the people.” All right then, since we’re in a “power to the people” mode, in addition to letting the voters choose to impose higher taxes on themselves, how about we also let them decide a few other things too—such as: spending limits, a balanced budget amendment and state employee pension reform, to name just a few off-the-top ideas. Doesn’t it make sense to put some structural reforms in place, instead of just always resorting to the default position of raising taxes? If his tax increase proposal doesn’t fly with the voters, I believe that maybe, just maybe this time, there’s a chance to effect meaningful reform.
OK, I’ve had my say and there’s some space yet to fill so let’s conclude with a stab at some humor. Let’s call this little sojourn, “When insults really had some class.” By the way, these are all quotes from familiar personalities. The following exchange took place between Winston Churchill and Lady Astor. She said, “If you were my husband, I’d give you poison.” He said, “Lady, if you were my wife, I’d drink it.” Here’s another. A Member of Parliament said to Disraeli: “Sir, you will either die on the gallows or of some unspeakable disease.” “That depends Sir,” said Disraeli, “whether I embrace your policies or your mistress.” And finally, George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill: “I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend…if you have one.” Churchill in response; “Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second…if there is one.”
That’s it for now. Enjoy this month’s mag-azine.
