State Budget Shortfall

Public sector layoffs added to private sector layoffs will cumulatively worsen the economic climate and the economic competitiveness of California. We must carefully consider the cumulative impacts of public layoffs on the economy and feedback effects of layoffs on the 1993-94 state budget.

How much would the income tax need to be raised to close the 1992-93 state budget gap? How much would sales taxes need to be raised? In combination how much? I would support a one-year increase in taxes with a one-year sunset clause, because the alternative are too horrible to contemplate!

I am a public sector employee. To avoid the crippling spiral of layoffs and a declining economy, I would support a temporary public sector wage cut of an average of not more than 10% for a one-year period. A slightly higher percentage at the top salary levels and slightly lower percentage at the lower levels would be equitable. State-mandated wage cuts, like tax increases, should have a one-year sunset clause. I would also support the proposal to defer 50% of the budgets shortfall one year.

The public sector has been lean since the passage of Proposition 13. During the last three years of recession, the public sector has been cut to the bone.

In 1991-92, the Legislature balanced the budget at the expense of the cities. It would be shortsighted for the state to balance the budget this year by crippling cities.

Can’t we all do our part for quality of life in California?

MIKI BRAT, Claremont