Will the California Budget Be Good for Long-Term Economic Stability?

Congratulations to the California legislature for passing the state budget, which now looks like it is going to be signed later this week.  

Nice that is done.  Nice for the lawmakers who will now be paid.  But it is going to be good for the rest of us?  That remains to be seen.

There is little or no reform that Republicans have been looking for since January (pensions, business regulation).

All it would have taken is a handful of Assembly and Senate members from the GOP - who would have been willing to make a deal, and some of those reforms might have been reality.

What if Ted or Beth Gaines would have said, "Give us some of these long-term reforms - that could save countless billions ... and we will let Democrats put the tax extension on the ballot." What if they and other Republicans were willing to compromise for the sake of long-term economic prosperity - even at the risk of not being re-elected?  

A legislator who says "no" and stops legislation from passing can be very powerful.

However, one that is willing to make a deal - to get what they want - has so much more.  

Just think, less business regulation could mean more hiring - jobs created, a healthier state economy.

Pension reforms might have made it easier for school districts, police departments, fire departments to stop the bleeding of layoff notices.

Republican state Senator Mimi Walters said, "The budget before us is more of the same, kicking the can down the road."  

Did someone forget to tell her that Republicans are in the minority, and there is only a simple majority needed to pass a budget these days?  Is she really all that surprised by the outcome?

The GOP got their way on the tax extension. There will not be one.  

They won that battle. They can be proud of sticking to their principles.

However, Legislators who are not willing to make a deal, do not have a whole lot of basis to complain about the one that was passed without their input.  

Will this budget be good for the long-term economic stability in our state?  Only time will tell.  

But at least it was on time for a change.