GUEST EDITORIAL : Budget must be balanced, capped

CA Senator (Rep.) 36th District

Vice Chair, Senate Budget Committee

Since Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s arrival in Sacramento, the beginning of the calendar year has typically been a time of announcing major new policy initiatives, legislative proposals and of generally hopeful days ahead for California. Yet in 2008, all has been focused on the solemn news that California is in grave danger of fiscal insolvency.

More specifically, California faces a budget deficit over the next 18 months of more than $14.5 billion. Our state government has willingly put itself into the position of racking up bi...