Thomas Elias: Do we want a fiscal dictator?

From: Press-Telegram Long Beach, CA. | Date: May 11, 2008 | Copyright information

No one in any way involved with California government now thinks the state budget process is ideal.

There's the two-thirds vote requirement in each house of the Legislature that allows a relatively small minority to stymie the majority's plain wishes. There's the fact that once a budget is adopted, it can't be changed easily when financial circumstances change.

But as June's serious negotiations over next year's state spending plan approach, only Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger off...

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