{"id":13482,"date":"2011-05-12T18:15:45","date_gmt":"2011-05-12T18:15:45","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2011-05-12T18:15:45","modified_gmt":"2011-05-12T18:15:45","slug":"blueprints-for-a-shock-doctrine-ransom-20","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/calitics.com\/index.php\/2011\/05\/12\/blueprints-for-a-shock-doctrine-ransom-20\/","title":{"rendered":"Blueprints For A Shock Doctrine: Ransom 2.0"},"content":{"rendered":"

Robert’s been the shock doctrine<\/a> expert around here, but I can spot a well-considered plan when I see it.  The basic principle behind how to get a shock doctrine done, and move the state away from providing services, is to create some sort of emergency, say that we have to do X and Y, or else.  Our current situation certainly gives us the “or else” component of that.  In truth, much of the shocking was already completed, mostly by majority votes by the Democratic members of the Legislature and our Democratic governor.<\/p>\n

But all that majority stuff is short-term, and can be reversed.  When you play for keeps, you have to think long-term strategy.  But you can’t just come out and say that we are hoping to shock the system. No, you have to create a “coalition” that wants to “bridge the divide” between the parties.  It would probably be headed up by some business organizations, and they might even call for tax increases.  Of course, there’s always a catch…<\/p>\n

A business coalition pushed Wednesday for a grand state budget compromise that essentially merges Gov. Jerry Brown’s budget and GOP demands for long-term pension and spending controls.<\/p>\n

The group of 12 — which dubs itself the Coalition for a California Financial Workout Plan — said voters should be allowed to decide on tax extensions as well as permanent fixes that address the “underlying conditions that got California in trouble.”<\/p>\n

Members include the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, Bay Area Council and Sacramento Metro Chamber.<\/p>\n

The coalition outlined a “Five-Point Plan” that includes tax extensions, a long-term spending control, reductions to public employee pensions, changes in the California Environmental Quality Act and a shift of responsibilities to local governments. The group also suggested that state leaders address abuses in redevelopment agencies and enterprise zones without eliminating them.<\/p>\n

“We urge the Governor and the Legislature to respect voters and taxpayers by giving us an honest budget plan by June 15th, along with a structural reform plan that puts California back on the right track,” the letter concludes. “That’s a workout plan we are willing to support in the ballot booth.”(SacBee<\/a>)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

See now, isn’t that convenient.  The business groups get pretty much everything they want, most of which were the strings the Republicans had been dangling.  And in reality, they didn’t want to see the end of the taxes, because that would hit them pretty hard as well.  So, huzzah for business groups.<\/p>\n

But not so huzzah for the rest of us.  Rather than addressing each of these issues independently, we have to slam them all together when the Republicans have leverage.  It’s just a repackaged ransom note<\/a>, but this time there’s a nice bow on top in the form of the seal of approval of some business organizations.  But let’s take a look at this Ransom 2.0:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Spending Control<\/b> – Spending control is poor planning in disguise.  While our spending has increased by a few percentage points over the last 30+ years, we are still looking at spending a lower rate of GDP in California than we’ve done for a generation.  Here’s the thing about spending, as we develop, and as we improve, we should be providing better services.  We shouldn’t simply settle for what worked last year.  Twenty years ago, we didn’t need a bunch of computers in every classroom. Now we do. I’m not calling on us to spend every penny we get, I think a rainy day reserve fund is a terrific idea (check out SF’s!).  But you achieve budget stability through long-term planning and stability, where the people and their representatives (not a super minority) can reasonably plan for the future.  And hopefully we can provide better schooling and park services for Californians every year.  We’re Californians, We’re Americans, we shouldn’t just settle for standing still.  If you wanted real reform, you’d call for true majority government.  Heck, maybe even demand a 5 year budget outline with some specificity, but a hard cap is simply DOA.<\/li>\n
  2. Pensions <\/b>– Gov. Brown has already proposed a pretty robust pension reform plan.  And while the discussion can be tough, that’s a good starting point.  Let’s have the discussion, and work something out.  But let’s do it the right way, not through some rushed budget process.<\/li>\n
  3. CEQA <\/b>– Again, let’s have that conversation, but that isn’t the budget, and shouldn’t muddle budget negotiations.  CEQA has served us well in the past, but perhaps we want to tweak it here or there.  But we must avoid throwing out the baby, as well as dirtying up the budget bathwater.<\/li>\n
  4. Realignment <\/b>– Well, um, this is pretty much what the Governor has been proposing all along.<\/li>\n
  5. Redevelopment and Enterprise Zones<\/b> – It’s pretty convenient how this comes back up again in the context of a business coalition.  After all, while there are some very good redevelopment projects, it’s hard to get boondoggle funds without the redevelopment agencies.  There might be new ways, but the agencies are just so, umm, there.  Now, it’s probably a bit unfortunate that we are killing them entirely.  But, really, something has to go, right? Right?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    So, what have we got here? Well, not a whole lot new, just another brick along the road…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Robert’s been the shock doctrine<\/a> expert around here, but I can spot a well-considered plan when I see it.  The basic principle behind how to get a shock doctrine done, and move the state away from providing services, is to create some sort of emergency, say that we have to do X and Y, or else.  Our current situation certainly gives us the “or else” component of that.  In truth, much of the shocking was already completed, mostly by majority votes by the Democratic members of the Legislature and our Democratic governor.<\/p>\n

    But all that majority stuff is short-term, and can be reversed.  When you play for keeps, you have to think long-term strategy.  But you can’t just come out and say that we are hoping to shock the system. No, you have to create a “coalition” that wants to “bridge the divide” between the parties.  It would probably be headed up by some business organizations, and they might even call for tax increases.  Of course, there’s always a catch…<\/p>\n

    A business coalition pushed Wednesday for a grand state budget compromise that essentially merges Gov. Jerry Brown’s budget and GOP demands for long-term pension and spending controls.<\/p>\n

    The group of 12 — which dubs itself the Coalition for a California Financial Workout Plan — said voters should be allowed to decide on tax extensions as well as permanent fixes that address the “underlying conditions that got California in trouble.”<\/p>\n

    Members include the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, Bay Area Council and Sacramento Metro Chamber.<\/p>\n

    The coalition outlined a “Five-Point Plan” that includes tax extensions, a long-term spending control, reductions to public employee pensions, changes in the California Environmental Quality Act and a shift of responsibilities to local governments. The group also suggested that state leaders address abuses in redevelopment agencies and enterprise zones without eliminating them.<\/p>\n

    “We urge the Governor and the Legislature to respect voters and taxpayers by giving us an honest budget plan by June 15th, along with a structural reform plan that puts California back on the right track,” the letter concludes. “That’s a workout plan we are willing to support in the ballot booth.”(SacBee<\/a>)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    See now, isn’t that convenient.  The business groups get pretty much everything they want, most of which were the strings the Republicans had been dangling.  And in reality, they didn’t want to see the end of the taxes, because that would hit them pretty hard as well.  So, huzzah for business groups.<\/p>\n

    But not so huzzah for the rest of us.  Rather than addressing each of these issues independently, we have to slam them all together when the Republicans have leverage.  It’s just a repackaged ransom note<\/a>, but this time there’s a nice bow on top in the form of the seal of approval of some business organizations.  But let’s take a look at this Ransom 2.0:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Spending Control<\/b> – Spending control is poor planning in disguise.  While our spending has increased by a few percentage points over the last 30+ years, we are still looking at spending a lower rate of GDP in California than we’ve done for a generation.  Here’s the thing about spending, as we develop, and as we improve, we should be providing better services.  We shouldn’t simply settle for what worked last year.  Twenty years ago, we didn’t need a bunch of computers in every classroom. Now we do. I’m not calling on us to spend every penny we get, I think a rainy day reserve fund is a terrific idea (check out SF’s!).  But you achieve budget stability through long-term planning and stability, where the people and their representatives (not a super minority) can reasonably plan for the future.  And hopefully we can provide better schooling and park services for Californians every year.  We’re Californians, We’re Americans, we shouldn’t just settle for standing still.  If you wanted real reform, you’d call for true majority government.  Heck, maybe even demand a 5 year budget outline with some specificity, but a hard cap is simply DOA.<\/li>\n
    2. Pensions <\/b>– Gov. Brown has already proposed a pretty robust pension reform plan.  And while the discussion can be tough, that’s a good starting point.  Let’s have the discussion, and work something out.  But let’s do it the right way, not through some rushed budget process.<\/li>\n
    3. CEQA <\/b>– Again, let’s have that conversation, but that isn’t the budget, and shouldn’t muddle budget negotiations.  CEQA has served us well in the past, but perhaps we want to tweak it here or there.  But we must avoid throwing out the baby, as well as dirtying up the budget bathwater.<\/li>\n
    4. Realignment <\/b>– Well, um, this is pretty much what the Governor has been proposing all along.<\/li>\n
    5. Redevelopment and Enterprise Zones<\/b> – It’s pretty convenient how this comes back up again in the context of a business coalition.  After all, while there are some very good redevelopment projects, it’s hard to get boondoggle funds without the redevelopment agencies.  There might be new ways, but the agencies are just so, umm, there.  Now, it’s probably a bit unfortunate that we are killing them entirely.  But, really, something has to go, right? Right?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      So, what have we got here? Well, not a whole lot new, just another brick along the road…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[117],"tags":[4187],"class_list":["post-13482","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-117","tag-4187"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6Pvhz-3vs","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/calitics.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13482","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/calitics.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/calitics.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/calitics.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/calitics.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13482"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/calitics.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13482\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/calitics.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13482"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/calitics.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13482"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/calitics.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13482"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}