Advertise Here

Deliver your message to thousands of readers every day.

Our readers are influential opinion makers - politicians, journalists and activists.

Our latest headlines

About Us

The California Progress Report is published by Frank D. Russo, a longtime observer of and participant in California politics.

About Frank Russo.
About California Progress Report.

Got a news tip? Want to write a guest column? Contact Frank here.

Books

Californians Want Their State Government to Spend More Money and Provide More Services, According to Poll

Even Republicans surveyed want the same or more spending on state programs

By Frank D. Russo

The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) poll results released last week shows that Californians, given the choice between higher taxes and more services and lower taxes and fewer services, prefer bigger government. What is even more revealing is that when specifically asked about individual programs, even Republicans supported the same or increased spending. The numbers here are quite revealing and interesting. This is a well respected, non partisan poll of over 2,000 Californians taken between January 11 and 18, 2007.

Want to know why, despite the two-thirds vote requirement for a budget, there will be no cuts in major areas and in fact there will be increases, look no farther than these results. Want to know why Republican legislators will be a small minority of those elected in 2008, especially if they try to stall the budget for cuts with their "weapon of mass obstruction" as Steve Maviglio of the Speaker's office calls it, look here--and see where even Republican voters are in California on budgetary priorities. Also wondering why a prison bond measure was not on the ballot? Scrutinize these numbers.

Spending and Taxes Overall

When asked the question “In general, which of the following statements do you agree with more – I’d rather pay higher taxes and have a state government that provides more services, or I’d rather pay lower taxes and have a state government that provides fewer services," by a margin of 53% to 40%, Californians opt for higher taxes and more services. Even amongst likely voters, this is true by a margin of 49% to 44%.

Broken down by political party, the results are somewhat understandable, but still have some surprises. Democrats lopsidedly by 69% to 24% go for higher taxes and more services. Republicans are the mirror opposite by 67% to 27%. "Independent" voters break 53% to 40% in favor of higher taxes and more services. I put "independent" in quotes because it includes "decline-to-state" voters who choose no party and those that belong to parties other than the Democratic and Republican parties. So, the only subset here that wants to shrink the state government is the Republicans, and even 27% of those want bigger government.

Specific Areas of the State Budget

This is where the numbers are just mind boggling.

By margins that are not even close, Californians want more spending on the items that make up the bulk of the state's budget. The sole exception is the prisons and correctional system. The numbers who want the state to spend less is surprisingly low. This is true even for our state's Republicans who support the same level or more spending across the board by large margins. No one (a very small minority of voters) want to cut anything.

Take a look at page 14 of the poll, and you find that by 68% to 21%, Californians want more money spent on K-12 public education. Only 7% want less spent. Even a full 50% of Republicans want more spent, with 31% favoring the same amount, and 15% choosing less money. This is the largest area of state spending, accounting for roughly have of our state's general fund budget.

Okay, so Californians strongly support increased public school funding. Education is important to us. But we also support by 60% more spending on health and human services, more for roads and other infrastructure projects by 58%, and public colleges and universities at a level of 55%. And the numbers who want less spending on any of these is usually in the single digits. The highest level who want less money spent is the 12% on health and human services, but even here, 60% want more and 23% want the same amount of money spent.

Combine the increased spending with the same spending categories and you find that 90% want the same or more spent on public education at the kindergarten through 12th grade level. When it comes to public colleges and universities that number is 87%. The numbers for health and human services and roads and infrastructure are 83% and 88% respectively.

Broken down by party, the Democrats and independent voters are strongly in support. You just don't see any more lopsided numbers in polls. Only 2% of Democrats want less spending on public education.

81% of Republican voters want the same or more spending on K-12 public education. The numbers for health and human services (69%) is the lowest Republicans go here, and for roads and other infrastructure projects (90%), and public colleges and universities (81%), the levels are high for maintaining or increasing funding.

Looking at "likely voters," the numbers are about the same. Voters support more spending on all of these, the lowest they drop to is 50% support for increased public college and university spending, with 34% wanting the same amount and 12% wanting less spent.

The sole exception to all of the above spending categories is our state's prisons and the correctional system. Here, the numbers are mixed. 34% of Californians want more money spent, 31% want the same spent, and 29% want less spent. Likely voters split one third for each of these options--any preference is within the margin of error of the poll.

The highest cohort of those favoring more prison and correctional spending is still a minority of a minority--the 37% of Republicans who want more spending on this area.

Voters Prefer the Democrats in the Legislature to Make the Tough Decisions on the Budget

The poll asked this question: “When it comes to the tough choices involved in the state budget, both in deciding how much Californians should pay in taxes and how to fund state programs, whose approach do you most prefer — Governor Schwarzenegger’s, the Democrats’ in the legislature, or the Republicans’ in the legislature?”

The results, 38% of likely voters prefer the Democrats, 24%, the Republicans, and 23% the Governor's approach. The numbers are statistically the same for all Californians, with Republicans coming in dead last at 21%, but with the margin of error for the distinction of who holds up the rear here.

In January of 2004, the Governor's approach was favored by the largest number of Californians at 33%. That number has slipped and the Democrats are now the winners here. A strong majority, 67%, of Democrats, prefer their party's approach, only 14% prefer the Governor's, and 5% of Democrats prefer the Republicans approach. Democrats have an edge with independent voters here, but within the margin of error, with the Republican approach coming in last amongst independents.

So, when Republicans criticize Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Democrats on the budget, they are walking on thin ice. We'll have to see in June if they will listen to even their own voters when it comes to voting for a budget. Some of the Republican lawmakers who have been around for multiple terms never have voted for a state budget, as we know.

Posted on January 28, 2007

Comments

Dear Freedom Fighters,

The majority of Americans DO NOT want more government control? Is this guy on drugs?

The First US Social Forum offers a golden opportunity to engage those forces that oppose Human Progress and that want to bring down humans to the animal level while calling themselves "progressive".

I plead with all of you to fully participate in this history making process in order to educate the active forces of human society about the social cancers being spread by the politically correct oxymoron.

A call to all those who love Freedom and who realize that we are running out of time and that this is a battle for our very survival.

Your involvement in this historical process will shape the outcome of the Social Forum.

Do not be an spectator, but rather an active agent of social improvement. Your future, the future of your children and the future of generations to come depends of what you do or fail to do today.

Libertarians, Anti CPS, Anti Drugging of Children, Anti Forced Foster Care, Anti Forced Special Ed, Anti Psychiatry, Anti APS (Adult Protective Services), Anti Forced Adoptions, Anti Involuntary Confinement in Psychiatric Institutions, Anti Abortionists, Anti State Micromanaging your Life, Anti Cradle-to-Prison Pipeline Industry, Homeschoolers, Unschoolers, Vegetarians, Vegans, Anti Vaccinations, Anti Genetically Engineered Foods, Naturists and people who want freedom to use herbs, natural and alternative medicines, Pro Family, Pro Life, Anti Politically Correct Oxymoron, etc.

Participate in the First US Social Forum and let your voice and your issues be heard. Educate others.. Learn from others.. Team with others...

There is Strength in numbers.

The Politically Correct claim to be "progressive", but in reality (most of them do not realize it) they represent REGRESSIVE currents in human evolution and every one of their creeds is designed to produce Social Cancers, to bring humanity to the abysm. On the other hand We Freedom Fighters represent the Real Progressive Forces in Human Evolution. While the Politically Correct strive to bring man to the animal level, we strive to bring it to the Spiritual level and manifest its Divinity.

We must not abandon the Battle Field but rather engage society to bring light into the darkness.

The motto of the Social Forum is:

"Another World is Possible"

Of course Another World is Possible, but what type of world will be, depends on us. If we allow the powers that be to make decisions for us, the coming world will be a New Dark Age, where the vast majority will be Slaves. If we take control of our destiny and engage the system in every possible process and Educate, Organize, and Mobilize our fellow human beings, then a much Better World is in the Making. It is up to us. Are we up to the challenge or are we going to be remembered as that weak generation that allowed the negative forces to take away our Freedom? If we allow that to happen, generations to come will revile us.

The Social Forum is an OPEN SPACE were people can bring their issues to the spotlight. It is a gathering of all those who oppose Globalization (some prefer to call it New World Order). It was formed in opposition to the World Economic Forum where the elites of the planet gather yearly to plan and implement their strategies for Globalization.

Visit the United States Social Forum website at
http://www.ussf2007.org/

If possible get involved as an organization, if not as an individual. If you do not have an organization, then form one. Gather a couple of people who think like you and form your organization. It does not have to be an Incorporated Organization (you can do that later if you chose so). Your grass-root organization exist by the mere fact that two or more people got together with a common purpose, and that is enough to begin.

As an organization you are required to pay $125.00 to Register. So First Register (left hand side of their website), then if possible get involved as a MOVEMENT BUILDER and get involved in at least one of the different Committees. And finally Submit Your Session Proposal.

My Session Proposal can be read at
http://www.ussf2007.org/en/forum/26

The title of the posting is
Looking for partners for a workshop on the Cradle to Prison Pipeline Industry

Our workshop will be an expansion of the workshop we presented in October 2004 at the New York City Social Forum:

How the Child Exploitation Complex feeds the Prison Industrial Complex, the Homeless and Mentally Ill Populations: New York City, a case study.

The 18-20 pages position paper can be found at
http://www.parentsinaction.net/english/nyc-sf-10-28-04.htm

Posted by: Diane Booth at January 28, 2007 11:28 AM

Diane: Please keep your comments short and to the point about the article. You have posted dozens if not hundreds of comments on articles, whether or not they relate to the article which are extremely lengthy and disrespectful of readers who want to read comments on the article in question.

If you want a forum for your own views, I suggest you start a blog of your own.

This is an article about a poll and personal insults are not needed, nor do they advance your cause. I have reported accurately what the poll says.

Posted by: Frank D. Russo at January 28, 2007 01:12 PM

Mr. Russo, a gentle "tweak" at you...

Of course 38% of likely voters prefer the "democratic plan". Don't democrats make up the significant majority in our state?

Also, are you borrowing from the Bill Cavala book of elitism and/or hate when you say the, "...with Republicans coming in DEAD LAST..." (My caps). A mere stating of the facts would have made your point without the unesscessary hoopla. (At least you didn't compare republicans to Nazi's and their immigration "final solution" or how alluding republicans are "not normal people" like Bill does...)If he is your poster child for the progressive movement then you are in trouble. But I digress...

Further, Diane has chosen to express herself. So what if it is lengthy as the reader can choose to read it or not. I seen to recall comments just as long but that supported your position without any such critique from you.

Without allowing or tolerating opposing points of view, then your site is just a propaganda or drum beating site for progressives to kumbaya amoungst yourselves. To your credit thus far, you have tolerated all points of view.

Posted by: Sid at January 29, 2007 08:52 AM

Sid: Thanks for the tweak--I made my point with one too!

I am tolerant of other points of view--as you know--but there are some limits. Comments should be relevant to the article and not used as a convenient hook to post what one has to say--over and over again, and I have to ask for some consideration or to start pre-approving comments before they are posted. This is not based on whether I approve or disapprove of the comment--as you must know from the lack of any problem you have had in posting your thoughts. I've had one guy try to sell a car via a comment here, a few posting comments that are verbatim the same as what they have posted on multiple other sites, and the like. I've also had a few laced with profanity that I have deleted.

If you look at the above comment, it has nothing to do with the poll, which is the subject of the article.

Posted by: Frank D. Russo at January 29, 2007 03:23 PM

Thanks, Sid! The leftists use two tactics to try to censor me: 1. say I am "spamming" them or 2. say my comments are too lengthy. What else can they say when they have no other intelligent counterpoints to my comments?

Yes, it is all about freedom of CHOICE, unless your choice differs from theirs, eh.

Frank is getting better though. At least he is now allowing me to post messages, when in the past he would simply delete them all. I don't think it is because his heart is becoming softer, though. It is because Google archives my comments faster than he can delete them! HA!

http://www.msnusers.com/FreeVincentBooth

Posted by: Diane Booth at January 30, 2007 12:11 PM

Get Email Updates

Want the California Progress Report by email? Once a week, we'll send you the latest and greatest headlines.

Stat tracker