Board of Equalization Member Senator George Runner today warned that efforts by Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) and other Democrat legislators to increase taxes on high income earners will actually punish California job creators and worsen volatile state revenues.

"Years of overtaxation and overregulation have given California the second highest unemployment rate in the nation. Even so some of our state lawmakers still believe that punishing success is a recipe for job growth," Runner said.

According to the Tax Foundation, California already has the third highest income tax rate and one of the most progressive tax structures in the nation. The top one percent of California's income earners have incomes of $500,000 or more per year and pay up to 50% of all income tax revenues received by the state each year, according to a report by the non-partisan Legislative Analyst's Office.

Runner warned, "The battle cry to 'tax the rich' is really code for taxing California's job creators, including many small businesses that are struggling to survive. Rather than help California's budget, higher taxes will reduce revenues and drive even more job creators out of our state or out of business."

The Tax Foundation also found that most small businesses pay their business taxes using individual rates, and California's taxes on small businesses are among the most burdensome in the nation.

The California Taxpayers Association (CalTax) recently announced that Franchise Tax Board numbers show the number of Californians reporting million-dollar-plus adjusted gross incomes fell by 20.2% from 2008 to 2009. Reported income fell by 27.8% and the amount raised by the extra 1% tax on millionaires (enacted by Proposition 63 of 2004) fell 31.3%.

According to Caltax, the falling numbers are the likely result of a "combination of high-income Californians moving to states with a more friendly tax climate…and the impact of the recession on personal income."

CalTax also noted that a taxpayer making $2 million can save nearly $200,000 a year simply by moving from California to Nevada.

Runner concluded, "To paraphrase Ronald Reagan, the Democrats' view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it."

Elected in November 2010, George Runner represents more than nine million Californians as a member of the State Board of Equalization. For more information, visit www.boe.ca.gov/Runner.

For all the crazy stories you've heard about China, the world's biggest country is going to keep blowing your mind.

The speed and size of economic development going in China right now has never happened before. In just ten years, a small emerging market has transformed into a geopolitical bruiser that can go toe-to-toe with Ben Bernanke.

Like it or not, China plays a... http://www.businessinsider.com/facts-about-china-blow-your-mind-2011-5

Written by Billy Hallowell

Who says elementary school is too early to start discussing gender issues?

This week, educators at Redwood Heights Elementary School in Oakland, California, are teaching young children all about the complicated world of “gender diversity.” The school has designed curriculum for every grade level. Amid the resulting controversy, Principal Sara Stone is defending the initiative, claiming that it is in line with what parents want:

“If we don’t have a safe, nurturing class environment, it’s going to be hard to learn. Really, the message behind this curriculum is there are different ways to be boys. There are different ways to be girls.”

A gender expert and trainer was brought in to... http://www.theblaze.com/stories/calif-school-tells-elementary-students-t...

Ventura, CA – On May 24, Alan Holmes, Commuter Services Program Manager for the Ventura County Transportation Commission, proudly presented this year’s Diamond Awards to four innovative Ventura County employers. Each year, Diamond Awards are awarded to those employers which exhibit the most effective strategies for increasing ridesharing and decreasing air pollution. This year, the featured winners went above and beyond, providing alternatives and incentives that were beneficial to their employees as well as our environment. This year’s Diamond Award winners included SolarWorld, WellPoint, City of Ventura Police/Fire Department, and Employee Transportation Coordinator of the Year, Nancy McClure at Community Memorial Hospital.

Each Diamond Award winner kept its staff motivated throughout the year, increasing participation in their respective rideshare program. SolarWorld attributed its rideshare success to the energy behind their no-cost strategies and internal promotions of commuter services. WellPoint and Nancy McClure at Community Memorial Hospital took similar approaches to encouraging positive, earth-friendly company morale with giveaways and contests that went beyond prizes, emphasizing lifestyle changes to realize environmental wellness. The City of Ventura Police/Fire Department welcomed the challenge of increasing its average vehicle ridership, responding with a compressed work week schedule which translated into lowered operating costs and reduced vehicle pollution on alternating Fridays.

Holmes noted, “It is with great pride that VCTC presents this year’s Diamond Awards to those Ventura County employers which continue to raise the bar for corporate rideshare programs, successfully encouraging their employees to taking positive steps toward bettering our environment while helping their employees save thousands of dollars annually in transportation costs.”

VCTC’s Commuter Services program promotes carpooling, vanpooling, bus, train, bicycling, walking, and telecommuting options. Registered participants become eligible for VCTC’s free Guaranteed Ride Home program. For more information, contact Alan Holmes at (805) 642-1591 (extension 119) or visit www.goventura.org/?q=rideshare.

Bill Overcomes Intense Lobbying Effort by Chemical Industry

SACRAMENTO, CA. – The California State Assembly today passed the Toxin-Free Infants and Toddlers Act, AB 1319, by Assemblymember Betsy Butler (D-Marina del Rey), which seeks to ban the toxic chemical Bisphenol-A (BPA) in baby bottles and other feeding products for children.

“I am very pleased that my measure to protect children and infants passed the State Assembly. The science on BPA shows cause for alarm and it’s a shame that we have failed to protect our most vulnerable citizens from this toxic chemical,” said Assemblymember Betsy Butler. “Every child from every community in our state deserves access to safe products. This is a fight worth having because big chemical money should not be allowed to trump the health of babies in California.”

The bill would limit the amount of BPA allowed in baby bottles, sippy cups, infant formula and baby food. Specifically, it would prohibit the manufacture, sale, or distribution of the above products designed for children 3 and younger that contain more than 0.1 parts per billion (ppb) of BPA. The bill would not affect any other consumer products.

BPA is an artificial hormone that is widely used in shatter-proof plastic baby bottles, sippy cups and the lining of formula cans. It leaches out of containers and into food and has linked BPA to a host of health problems, including breast and prostate cancer, infertility, obesity, and neurological and behavioral changes, including autism and hyperactivity.

Dr. Shannon Udovic, Advocacy Co-Chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics of California, said, “The Academy representing over 5,000 board-certified pediatrician members of the four regional AAP Chapters statewide, is pleased to support Assemblymember Butler’s legislation, AB 1319. This bill would establish the Toxin-Free Infants and Toddlers Act to help protect children from Bispenol-A (BPA) by restricting the use of BPA in certain baby products.”

If AB 1319 is signed into law, California will join Canada, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, Wisconsin and Washington state and several other cities and counties in the United States that, with significant bi-partisan support, have enacted bans on BPA in baby bottles and other feeding products for children.

In addition, several key federal agencies and scientific bodies have stated official concern about the safety of BPA including the National Institutes of Health (National Toxicology Program), Food and Drug Administration, US Environmental Protection Agency, and the President’s Cancer Panel.

Assemblymember Butler’s Toxin-Free Infants and Toddlers Act, AB 1319, is co-authored by Senators Ellen Corbett, Kevin De León, Mark Leno, Carol Liu, and Fran Pavley and Assemblymembers Tom Ammiano, Bob Blumenfield, Steven Bradford, Julia Brownley, Nora Campos, Mike Davis, Roger Dickinson, Mike Eng, Paul Fong, Mike Gatto, Jared Huffman, Ricardo Lara, Bonnie Lowenthal, Fiona Ma, Nancy Skinner and Das Williams.

In addition, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein has announced her support along with the American Academy of Pediatrics of California, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, California Medical Association, and the California Nurses Association. The Environmental Working Group is the sponsor of the bill.

AB 1319 is now headed to the State Senate for consideration.

For more information, visit www.asmdc.org/butler.

Assemblymember Betsy Butler represents California’s 53rd Assembly District, comprised of the communities of El Segundo, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Marina del Rey, and portions of the City of Los Angeles.

Ask anyone what he thinks about gas prices and you'll likely get an earful. The average price of gasoline in California has risen to more than $4 per gallon -- and, motorists are feeling the pain.

It's easy to blame big oil companies for this problem, and many do. However, doing so does nothing to explain why Californians see roughly 10 percent higher costs on average at the pump than the rest of the nation.

Nor does it explain why we refuse to tap the oil in the ground beneath our feet, which would create both new jobs and revenues.

Not coincidentally, California's oil production has dropped by almost 45 percent in the last 25 years, and our refining capacity has not kept pace with demand.

Limited production and refining capacity drives up the price we all see at the pump, especially given California's unique fuel-blend requirements.

Furthermore, California's fuel taxes are the highest in the nation. Californians pay a shocking 66.1 cents per gallon in federal and state taxes and fees each and every time they fill up their tanks.

Truckers pay even more -- 76 cents per gallon of diesel. These higher costs hit small businesses and working families squarely in the pocketbook.

Wanting to punish oil companies, some are proposing a new type of tax on oil production called a "severance tax." This proposal would take the going rate for a barrel of oil and apply a 12.5 percent tax to that value at the point it is produced.

But instead of punishing the oil industry, we'll end up punishing ourselves. The result will be more lost jobs and less revenues.

In January 2009, the Law and Economics Consulting Group released a study on the effects of a proposed 9.9 percent severance tax.

The study found that 10,000 jobs would be lost almost immediately if the tax were passed. Additionally, many of the roughly 100,000 jobs closely related to the oil production industry would be placed in jeopardy.

Now, remember California's oil production has plummeted by 45 percent in the last 25 years, which is bad enough. With a severance tax of 9.9 percent, much less the 12.5 percent that is currently being proposed, production would further decrease by upward of 80,000 barrels a day.

Driving this much production out of California would undermine California's economic recovery.

It would hurt property-tax revenues, as well as sales and use taxes, effectively hamstringing whatever benefits severance-tax revenues might have provided.

Any short-term boost in state revenue would be immediately undercut by permanent job losses and a further weakening of industry.

Given that California's unemployment rate now ranks higher than Michigan's, it's foolhardy to place any of our remaining jobs in jeopardy.

Alberto Torrico, a former assemblyman and one of the severance tax's major proponents, argued that without the severance tax, California is "giving away the energy for free." This is, of course, silly when the state already imposes a plethora of taxes and fees on both the industry and consumers.

For the seventh straight year in a row, a survey of CEOs ranked California as the worst state for business. Torrico's tax proposal would ensure our state retains this dismal distinction for years to come.

Don't kill jobs

Driving more jobs out of California is not an option. It is bad policy for a state to devastate an economy already reeling under high unemployment rates with an onerous new job-killing tax.

Instead, we should orient our tax and regulatory systems to be jobs friendly. Doing so is the only way to speed California's recovery and help hard-working families.

George Runner, R-Antelope Valley, is a member of the California Board of Equalization.

Board of Equalization Member Senator George Runner today issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's controversial 5-4 decision to force California's prisons to release 46,000 convicted felons:

"This decision is a historic attack on the constitutional rights of states and the liberty of all Californians.

"By flooding our neighborhoods with criminals, the Court will make one of highest taxed states in the nation among the most dangerous as well, further tarnishing the California dream.

"At a time when law-abiding Californians cannot find jobs, it's hard to imagine how convicted felons will do anything other than return to a life of crime.

"But at least Justice Kennedy can sleep easier at night knowing that none of these dangerous felons will be released in his neighborhood."

Elected in November 2010, Senator George Runner represents more than nine million Californians as a member of the Board of Equalization. Prior to his election to the Board, Runner served twelve years in the State Legislature. He was the lead legislative intervenor challenging an August 2009 federal court order reducing California’s prison population.

The office of Assembly Member Jeff Gorell is now accepting applications for creative, hard-working interns. If you are a college or graduate student interested in broadening your knowledge of state and local government and exploring a career in public service, then you should apply.

Interns in Assemblyman Gorell's office will learn the inner workings of state government, gain firsthand experience in a District and/or State Capitol Legislative office, and provide assistance to families in California's 37th Assembly District.

Internships are currently available in both the Westlake Village District Office and the Sacramento Capitol Office. Part-time and full-time unpaid internships are available during the summer as well as throughout the school year.

Course credit for internships may be available through your college or university. Prospective interns should discuss academic credit eligibility and requirements with their academic advisor or campus coordinator.

Interns work with Assemblyman Gorell's professional staff on a variety of projects and are also assigned clerical tasks. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, preparing reports, researching specific issues and compiling information to respond to constituent inquiries, assisting with community outreach efforts, handling incoming mail, introductory communications work, media archiving and performing general office duties.

Applicants are asked to call (805) 230-9167 or email amanda.broggie@asm.ca.gov.

CITY OF FILLMORE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MONDAY, MAY 23, 2011 5:00 P.M.
FILLMORE CITY HALL CENTRAL PARK PLAZA 250 CENTRAL AVENUE FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA 93015-1907

AGENDA

1. Call to Order: 5:00 P.M.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call: Councilmembers Brooks, Conaway, Sipes, Walker and Mayor Washburn
4. Public Comments
Pursuant to Government Code § 54954.3(a), Only Issues Listed on This Agenda Shall Be Heard During this Special Meeting.
5. Closed Session
A. Conference with Labor Negotiators: [Government Code Section 54957.6] Agency Designated Representatives: City Manager Yvonne Quiring, Finance Director Glenda Jay, Linda Pappas Diaz, Jack Hoffman, Hoffman & Associates; and City of Fillmore Unrepresented Employees: Public Works Director, Finance Director, Fire Chief, Deputy City Manager, Community Development Director, Accounting Supervisor, Deputy City Clerk, Assistant Planner, Assistant to the Finance Director, Building Official, City Engineer, Community Services Supervisor, Confidential Accounting Technician, Disaster Coordinator, Fire Captain, Human Resources Officer and Public Works Supervisor.
B. Conference with Labor Negotiators: [Government Code Section 54957.6] Agency Designated Representatives: City Manager Yvonne Quiring, Finance Director Glenda Jay, Linda Pappas Diaz, Jack Hoffman, Hoffman & Associates; Employee Organization: Union of Operating Engineers Local No. 501.
6. Adjournment: City Council adjourns to its Regular Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 250 Central Avenue.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Agenda Posted: May 18, 2011

Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency released its FY11 Preparedness Grant allocations for local programs that enable first responders to prepare for acts of terrorism and natural hazards. Since 2001, the County of Ventura has received over $22 million to increase local response capabilities among all police fire, medical and emergency services agencies in the County. These funds have helped the County and cities acquire specialized equipment and fund training, planning and exercises focused on disaster preparedness. The Homeland Security, Urban Area Security, and Emergency Management Performance Grants are the three primary programs that help fund programs that otherwise have little to no alternative funding sources. Each grant program, except one, was cut significantly.

Collectively, Ventura County’s Homeland Security grant funding was cut by more than 60 percent. Public safety programs and capabilities that will be significantly impacted by this include:
• Critical infrastructure protection;
• Intelligence gathering;
• Terrorism Liaison Officer Program;
• Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training for the community,
• Urban Search and Rescue Training for fire agencies;
• Hazardous Materials Technician Training for fire agencies;
• Emergency Operations Centers;
• Regional Catastrophic Planning; and,
• The “Ready Ventura County” public education program.

“The 60 percent is going to be devastating. Over the last ten years, I have seen a very positive impact these funds have had on helping us to maintain and expand our response capabilities. We will have some very difficult decisions to make with how we invest the small amount of funding we will be getting this year,” said Susan Dueñas, Homeland Security Grant Program Administrator with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Office of Emergency Services.

Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement regarding the cuts:

“The cuts to first responder grant programs will endanger progress made in state and local capabilities at a time when the threat of terrorism continues to test the Nation. These grants support vital programs that enable our first responders to successfully prevent, mitigate, and respond to terrorist attacks and major disasters. Our adversaries are dedicated to continuing to target our ports, mass transit systems, and cities. We need to ensure national capacity and resiliency by investing adequate levels in these essential programs.”

Administrator Preparing Release: Susan Dueñas, OES Program Administrator (805) 477-1589
Follow-up Contact: Susan Dueñas, OES Program Administrator (805) 477-1589
Approved By: Laura Hernandez, OES Assistant Director
Date of Release: May 19, 2011

Posted by Dr. Arieh Eldad

I was instrumental in establishing the Israeli National Skin Bank, which is the largest in the world. The National Skin Bank stores skin for every day needs as well as for war time or mass casualty situations.

This skin bank is... http://frontpagemag.com/2011/05/20/a-story-of-how-deep-the-palestinians-...

WHO:

The office of Sen. Tony Strickland and his constituents

WHAT:

As part of an ongoing community outreach effort, Sen. Tony Strickland invites residents of Santa Clarita and the surrounding areas to stop by his monthly community office hours, which will be staffed by his local legislative representative. This is an opportunity for residents to discuss state-related issues.

WHEN:

Office hours will be held the last Monday of every month

Monday, May 23, 2011 ~ 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
(Office hours will begin on Monday, May 23rd due to the Memorial Day Holiday on Monday, May 30th)

WHERE:

The Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce Office
27451 Tourney Road, Suite 160, Santa Clarita

VISUAL:

Senator Strickland office hours signage

Written By George Runner

Treasurer Bill Lockyer caused waves last month when he suggested that given Republican lawmakers’ opposition to higher taxes, their districts should bear the brunt of spending cuts. He said, “The people who want less government ought to be at the front of that line to get less government.”

Senate Democrat Leader Darrell Steinberg expressed openness to the idea, saying, “You don’t want to pay for government, well then, you get less of it.” He added that any district-targeted cuts should not hurt “kids or the vulnerable” but instead be limited to “convenience services that affect adults.”

Outrage to the proposal—appropriately so—came fast and furious.

Senate Vice-Chair Bob Huff said the proposal was “just nuts.”

Jon Coupal of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Foundation compared the idea to the strong arm tactics of an organized crime protection racket. He also suggested it might violate the equal protection guarantees found in both our state and federal constitutions.

Even the Los Angeles Times called the plan “ham-fisted and wrong.”

Mr. Lockyer’s point merits further consideration and a more thorough response.

Republicans do want less government. We believe our state’s fiscal problems are the result of too much spending, not too few taxes.

We believe that government spending doesn’t produce happiness. Instead we know that government spending can foster dependency, stifle entrepreneurship and fund wasteful bureaucracies. We also know that government programs tend to grow larger and larger yet often outlive the purpose for which they were created. Some even create more problems than they solve.

We Republicans question how it is that some states manage to do more with less and are also able to grow jobs. We ask why so many businesses are choosing to locate or expand outside California, and why our state’s unemployment rate is higher than nearly every other state. We’re also pretty confident we know the answers to these questions.

The evidence backs us up. According to the Tax Foundation, Californians bear the sixth highest overall tax burden in the nation. California’s income taxes, sales taxes and fuel taxes rank at or near the top. If not for Proposition 13, which protects homeowners by limiting property taxes, our overall tax burden would be far worse.

Despite the fact that California taxes and spends more than most other states, our schools and roads don’t reflect it. And a diminished private sector is forced to pay more to support state worker wages and benefits that exceed those of many private sector workers.

Contrary to conventional wisdom, increased government spending can actually hurt a state’s economy. A little-noticed 2010 Harvard Business School study found that increased federal spending in states with politically powerful leaders causes “significant retrenchment” by corporations, dampening investment and employment activity.

It’s not too much of a stretch to say that state spending could have the same impact.

Yes, less government can be a good thing.

The real problem with Lockyer’s proposal is that it doesn’t go far enough. If Republican lawmakers are asked to accept less tax dollars for their districts, they should get to determine where and how those dollars are spent.

They should be empowered to enact policy reforms they have long championed to help California’s struggling private sector create jobs, including less red tape, lower taxes, reduced energy costs and real tort reform.

They should be allowed to enact commonsense education reforms putting kids first by freeing teachers and locally-elected schools boards from Sacramento’s micromanagement and granting parents more control over their children’s education.

Public-private partnerships could boost these efforts and move California’s transportation system into the 21st century. They could also expand our state’s dismal water storage capacity and help with other infrastructure needs.

These reforms would revitalize areas of our state currently plagued by joblessness. Rather than flee California, businesses could relocate to more friendly terrain available only in Republican districts. Employers in other states might, for a change, see California—albeit only some parts—as an attractive place to do business.

If accompanied by real reforms, Lockyer’s spending cuts could be the best thing that ever happened to Republican districts. Economic growth and job creation would lead to lower unemployment; increased government revenues could be invested in local priorities or returned to taxpayers.

Mr. Lockyer, if less government truly means less government, then count me in.

The Ventura County Emergency Planning Council has launched the Ready Ventura County disaster preparedness campaign. In partnership with FEMA and the Ad Council, Ventura County localized the national Ready campaign to assist Ventura County residents in preparing, responding and recovering from a local disaster.

“The goal of the campaign is to get the public involved and increase the level of basic preparedness throughout Ventura County,” said Laura Hernandez, Assistant Director of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services.

The Ready Ventura County message remains consistent with the national campaign: Get a Kit. Make a Plan. Be Informed. The new website (www.readyventuracounty.org) contains information tailored to Ventura County residents, as well as links to the Ready Ventura County Facebook and Twitter accounts.

The campaign was launched at the 2011 Ventura County Schools Disaster Preparedness Challenge and Contest Awards Ceremony held on May 16, 2011 at the Ventura County Office of Education Conference Center. Twenty-three awards were presented to students, schools and school districts that participated in the disaster preparedness art and video contests.

“When unexpected natural or man-made emergencies occur, our greatest individual defense is preparedness,” said Ventura County Fire Chief Bob Roper, as he addressed the audience of students, families and educators Monday evening. “Our hope is that these projects have and will continue to facilitate discussions in the schools and assist families in being better prepared.”

For more information on disaster preparedness, please visit the Ready Ventura County website at www.readyventuracounty.org. This website will display current information in the event an emergency, educate residents on the hazards in our area, and provide a resource on how to prepare, respond and recover from a disaster in our area.

Administrator Preparing Release: Cynthia Elliott, OES Program Administrator (805) 654-3655
Follow-up Contact: Cynthia Elliott, OES Program Administrator (805) 654-3655
Approved By: Laura Hernandez, OES Assistant Director

Board of Equalization Member Senator George Runner today issued the following statement in response to Governor Jerry Brown's May revision of his budget proposal:

"Overtaxed Californians will find little to cheer in the Governor's revised budget proposal.

"Despite the Governor's concession to postpone higher income taxes for a year, he continues to push for legislative approval of higher sales taxes and car taxes this year.

"And although the Governor dropped his effort to abolish enterprise zones—and the jobs they create—he continues to miss the big picture: Californians need jobs, not higher taxes.

"Our best hope for new revenues isn't higher taxes, but new jobs fueled by a recovering economy. Unfortunately, the Governor has yet to truly lift a finger in the fight for California jobs."

Elected in November 2010, Senator George Runner represents more than nine million Californians as a member of the Board of Equalization. For more information, visit www.boe.ca.gov/Runner.

SACRAMENTO, CA. – Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. today unveiled a revised state budget that reduces by nearly $3 billion the amount of taxes needed to balance the budget, spurs job creation through new tax incentives and pays off most of the $34.7 billion debt built up over the last decade.

“California’s economy is growing, but we still face a $10 billion structural deficit and a wall of debt for years to come,” said Brown. “California’s finances were plunged into turmoil by the Great Recession and a decade of short-term fixes and fiscal gimmicks. This is not the time to delay or evade. This is the time to put our finances in order.”

The revised budget also downsizes state government and protects education and public safety. Since taking office in January, Brown and the legislature have cut spending by $9 billion and have taken other steps to reduce the deficit.

Key Highlights of Governor Brown’s May Revision Budget

Reduce the amount of taxes required to balance the budget. Californians will pay $2 billion less in income taxes this year than proposed in the January budget.

Increase spending on K-12 education. For years, the state has shortchanged public education in order to balance the budget, forcing school districts to borrow in order to balance their budgets. The revised budget increases funds for public schools by $3 billion. Even with this new infusion of funds, California schools are still owed billions by the state.

Spur job creation through tax incentives. The revised budget restricts Enterprise Zone credits to create new jobs only; spurs investments in California jobs through mandatory single sales; encourages manufacturing jobs through reduced sales tax on equipment purchases; and revamps a hiring tax credit to encourage additional job creation.

Create a long-term strategy to address California’s Wall of Debt. California has accrued $35 billion in budgetary debt by borrowing from future generations. The May Revision lays out a plan to pay off at least $29 billion in looming state debt by 2015.

Cut state government. The revised budget eliminates 43 boards, commissions, task forces, offices and departments that represent an inefficient use of taxpayer dollars. As services are returned to the local level, the Departments of Mental Health and Alcohol and Drug Programs will be eliminated. The revised budget also proposes to merge the Healthy Families Program into the Medi-Cal program, reducing costs and creating a single health care program for low income families

Improve debt management. More than $11 billion in cash from bond sales is sitting in department accounts, where it costs taxpayers more than $700 million a year in debt service for projects that have yet to be completed, creating an unacceptable burden on taxpayers. The revised budget proposes expediting projects, moving cash out of accounts and into projects that create jobs and improve state infrastructure as taxpayers intended.

Restore honesty to the budget process. Last year’s budget underfunded the costs of both the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and Department of Mental Health by $465 million. The revised budget addresses the shortfalls in these departments and establishes controls to prevent future overspending.

Sell underutilized state properties. The revised budget proposes the sale of state-owned properties like the Los Angeles Coliseum, the Montclair Golf Course in Oakland, the Capital Area Development Authority in Sacramento and the Ramirez Canyon property in Southern California. These properties serve no state function and should be sold off to pay debt.

The May Revision can be found here: http://www.ebudget.ca.gov/

Conventional wisdom in California's perennial budget crisis is that lawmakers who support tax increases are courageous, while those who refuse to go along are, well, cowards.

The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation reinforced this misguided notion last year by handing out "Profiles in Courage" awards to four legislative leaders who inflicted billions in higher taxes on average Californians struggling to survive a steep economic downturn.

Courage, it seems to some, is the willingness to pick another's pocket when one's own bank account balance is running low.

Despite his public persona of frugality, Governor Jerry Brown shares this view.

In his State of the State address earlier this year, Governor Brown argued that California would once again be a leader in "job creation, renewable energy… and education" if lawmakers could find "courage…to tackle our budget deficit head on."

For the political layman, tackling our budget deficit "head on" is the governor's code phrase for billions in more taxes, which Governor Brown fervently supports.

Case in point, earlier this month the Governor used a crime victims rally to send an even more pointed message. He told the victims: "I’m hoping that your courage will become contagious and inspire the reluctant few Republicans who we need to join up and get our budget done."

Thanks to an initiative approved by voters last fall, the Governor and a simple majority of his legislative allies are free to pass a budget based on anticipated revenues – about $85 billion – with no Republican votes at all. The only reason the Governor wants Republican votes is because he needs a two-thirds vote to raise taxes.

By way of perspective, the State of California's budget was less than $85 billion as recently as 2004. If the state bureaucracy survived on that amount before, it can do it again.

According to Merriam-Webster, courage is "the mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty." Cowardice is the opposite.

It may be the Governor himself who lacks courage to close a budget deal.

In March, five Republican senators reported that they had "reached an impasse" in negotiations with the Governor because their "substantive reform proposals to create jobs, require responsible state spending, eliminate abusive pension practices, and implement meaningful governmental reforms" had been "either rejected or so watered down as to have no real effect."

The senators concluded that the Governor was "unable to compel other stakeholders to accept real reform."

Later that same month, it was the Governor, not the Republicans, who pulled the plug on budget negotiations. Rather unconvincingly, the Governor claimed a deal was impossible because Republicans were asking for too many reforms.

New California Republican Party chairman Tom Del Beccaro recently took Governor Brown to task in an op-ed titled, "If Only Jerry Brown Had Andrew Cuomo's Courage." Del Beccaro argues that true courage is being shown by New York's Governor, a Democrat, who rather than raise taxes is trimming government bureaucracy and waste to close his state's budget deficit.

When asked why he won't support increasing taxes, Governor Cuomo explains: "I believe it’s counterproductive for the state. I believe more people will leave the state and you’ll have less revenue."

According to the Tax Foundation, New Yorkers have an even higher tax burden than Californians – but both states have the dismal distinction of making the top ten list of states with high taxes.

Does Governor Brown really believe he will lower California's unemployment rate—which remains among the worst in the nation—by raising taxes to New York levels or higher? Does he really think job creators want to come to a state with high taxes, high costs and regulatory uncertainty?

True courage is exhibited by men and women who are willing to stand for their convictions against incredible opposition.

But having courage means little if you're wrong.

I recently heard an elected official from the Bay Area proclaim that she believes taxes should be higher. She certainly displays courage by honestly communicating her belief. But she's wrong. And anyone else who thinks higher taxes will help California's private sector economy create jobs and be more competitive is also wrong.

The true unsung heroes in California's budget crisis are those lawmakers who have the courage to oppose higher taxes despite tremendous pressure to compromise.

Though the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation may refuse to acknowledge them, overtaxed Californians are grateful for their courage.

Elected in November 2010, Senator George Runner represents more than nine million Californians as a member of the Board of Equalization. For more information, visit www.boe.ca.gov/Runner.

Sacramento – Assembly Republican Leader Connie Conway announced yesterday that more than $2.5 billion in new revenues are available to fully fund education under Proposition 98 without raising taxes. Given these new revenues, local educators and Assembly Republicans have called upon the legislature to fully fund education in the 2011-12 budget. Prior to deployment, Assembly Member Jeff Gorell pushed for full funding of Proposition 98 on several occasions.

While the short-sighted budgeting process in Sacramento doesn’t require state agencies to prioritize their spending needs, the vast majority of Californians consider the funding of K-12 education and law enforcement to be the top priorities of state government.

“These new revenues make it clear that Assembly Member Gorell’s goal of fully funding education at Proposition 98 levels is possible,” stated Ventura County Board of Education Trustee Dean Kunicki.

“Legislators in Sacramento need to stop playing the blame game and commit to fully funding our educational needs,” said Ron LaGuardia, President of the Moorpark Unified School District Board of Education. “In his absence, educators must speak loud and clear supporting Gorell’s commitment to Prop 98 and education.”

The California’s chief budget analyst has previously calculated that the level of K-12 education funding under Proposition 98 should be approximately $43.8 billion for 2011-12. Of that amount, $32.4 billion would come directly from the state’s General Fund. These minimum numbers are expected to change next week with Governor Brown’s May budget revision, but the guarantees can only be suspended by a 2/3 vote of the legislature.

Before being called back to active duty by the Navy in March, Gorell introduced a number of bills designed to deal with the current budget crisis, including bills to implement priority based budgeting among state agencies, to consolidate state taxing agencies, and a bill to fully fund law enforcement without new taxes. He has been steadfast in his assertion that there are adequate revenues to fully fund education and law enforcement.

A third generation naval officer, Assembly Member Jeff Gorell was called back to active duty by the U.S. Navy on March 18th for deployment to Afghanistan. He currently holds the rank of Lt. Commander with the Navy (Reserve) as an intelligence officer and has previously served a tour of duty in Afghanistan shortly after the events of 9/11.