Using a very minimal definition of mandatory spending, approximately two-thirds of state spending is mandatory and one-third (35 percent) is discretionary, i.e., expenditures over which the Legislature has control through the annual budget act.
........................................................
A modestly expanded definition of "mandatory" spending that includes Legislative, Judicial, and Executive branch functions, tax collection, state air and water boards, forest fire protection, the Department of Motor Vehicles, corrections, and benefits paid to retired state employees, leaves 23 percent of state General Fund expenditures as discretionary.
ca.lwv.org
While you mull that over, keep this in mind:
“There is nothing as mobile as rich people and their money,” said James L. Brulte, the leading Republican in the state Senate. “You can get an increase in revenues but for how long? Take Tiger Woods. He grew up in California. He gets a $40 million contract from Nike and what does he do? He moves to Florida” — like Nevada, a state without income taxes.
stacks.msnbc.com |
