Tom Campbell

Where are Meg Whitman’s Spending Cuts? Sep 22nd

On May 18, at the height of the budget negotiations, I put forward a specific plan, line by line, identifying over $15.4 billion in how to cut state spending. Shortly thereafter, when the budget crisis got worse, I identified an additional $2 billion in cuts. So I’ve put forth specifics on saving the state $17.4 billion annually.

Today, it is disappointing that more than four months later, and after a budget deal has been reached, Meg Whitman has still not announced specific spending cuts, except her proposal to fire state employees, which would save only a small fraction of what’s needed to close the budget gap.

Here’s what she said today, in her own words:

“As I committed to in February, if elected I will identify and implement at least $15 billion in permanent spending cuts from the state budget.”

So I reiterate, she says she will identify spending cuts, if she’s elected. To decide whether to elect her or not, we have no detail at all beyond that she’ll fire state employees.

Meg Whitman has had more than two months since the Governor and the Legislature agreed to a budget deal that specified about $12 billion in real spending cuts. At the very least, she might have gone through that list, agreeing or disagreeing. Instead, voters are left with just a promise that she will find $15 billion, one way or another.

If this sounds familiar to voters, that’s because it’s reminiscent of President Obama promising to find $900 billion in ‘waste, fraud, and abuse’ to pay for his new health care plan. Californians have learned not to trust those who claim, ‘Elect me, and then we’ll find the money.’ We shouldn’t accept that from President Obama; and we shouldn’t accept that from our candidates for Governor.