Solve the Budget Crisis - Reform California

We the undersigned are deeply distressed about the budget crisis and the overall state of the economy. We petition the government to take immediate action by changing the way our tax dollars are allocated. California has one of the largest state economies, yet our debt is growing exponentially while our credit ratings plummet. City and county employees are being required to take furloughs and are paid in I.O.U.s as were our state tax rebates. Long Beach School district employees are at risk of taking severe pay cuts or losing their job altogether, the library media assistants have already been fired and librarians and counselors wont know if they still have a job until August. We were promised that no more money would be taken away from schools, and yet over $8 million and counting has been taken. Untold numbers of people counting on government run programs for assistance with housing and medication costs are suffering with the choice between paying bills, buying medication, buying food, or paying to keep a roof over their head. The crisis is not limited to public servants nor to California, all across America the laborers are losing their jobs, losing money, or simply can't keep up with the ever-rising cost of living.  The burden of turning this economy around must not be placed solely on the people who are already struggling to make ends meet. The criminals who embezzled millions should be required to return the money with interest. The wealthy should not be entitled to special tax cuts and evasions, those who have more money can afford to pay higher taxes. Government officials' salaries come from tax dollars. When the public is suffering due to an economic crisis those in a position of power and authority should be the first to lead by example and adjust their salaries accordingly. We propose the following changes be implemented into law to assist in the resolution of the budget crisis and to avert the reoccurrence of a crisis in the future:

%uFFFD      Every year the budget is not completed on time, the legislators in office will not be allowed to run for re-election the following term

%uFFFD      Government officials shall no longer be given a car allowance, a per diem, or any other tax-funded extra perk simply for being employed as a government official. Government officials know what kind of job they are taking when they run for office. If they don%u2019t want to do the work they don%u2019t have to run for election, but they should not be entitled to extra money simply for showing up for work, especially in times of economic crisis.

%uFFFD      All government officials shall take a mandatory 10% pay cut. Those who have voluntarily cut there pay shall take an additional cut to total in 10% not to exceed it.

%uFFFD      The same rules of any other type of employment will apply to the offices of government, if an individual is not doing his/her job he/she will be subject to dismissal without pay.

%uFFFD      Private consultants will not be paid with tax dollars, if a new program needs to be implemented it will be done by the individual proposing the program or the responsibility may be delegated to another more qualified individual already on the payroll. It is a waste of money to hire expensive private consultants when there are plenty of employees available to take on extra duties until the program is implemented. In the event that an expert is required, funding shall be provided through a fundraiser specifically for this purpose.

%uFFFD      Tax dollars will no longer be allotted to the funding of a mission to mars, or any other such exploratory programs. There are too many problems currently on earth that require money and attention.  We simply can not afford to waste money in areas that do not offer any reason to believe that the investment will be of any benefit us any time in the near future.  

%uFFFD      The savings from these changes shall be put towards the funding of schools and social services. All future budgets will be more reflective of the promises to put education first and protect the interests of the people.

%uFFFD      For every day that there is no budget in California the legislators will not be paid.

This is our generation%u2019s defining moment in history. Although the idea of becoming accountable for our actions may not be a popular one, it is a necessary choice we have to make %u2013 for better or for worse. We have an opportunity to take this moment in which we face our nation%u2019s greatest challenge to date and turn it into our greatest triumph. We can decide that we are willing to accept responsibility and make a change for the better, or we can sit passively by and in continuing to do what we%u2019ve always done we will continue to get what we%u2019ve always gotten. In closing, please remember that what affects one of us affects us all; despite our monumental size and a myriad of differences we are still the United States of America. Thank you for your attention to this critical issue.