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Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders today announced the appointments to the Commission on the 21st Century Economy. The Governor has appointed Gerald Parsky as Chair and Ruben Barrales, Michael Boskin, John Cogan, Becky Morgan and Curt Pringle. The legislature has appointed Christopher Edley Jr., George Halvorson, Jennifer Ito, Fred Keeley, Monica Lozano and Richard Pomp.
Governor Schwarzenegger issued the following statement:“Our outdated revenue system contributes to our feast-or-famine budget cycles year after year. It is time for California to have a revenue system that reflects the needs of our state, and I am confident that the people we have appointed will recommend constructive ways to restructure and modernize our taxA tax is a mandatory payment or charge collected by local, state, and national governments from individuals or businesses to cover the costs of general government services, goods, and activities. system. While it will not address our current shortfall, it will lead to more stable funding for education and other vital programs that are important to all Californians.”
Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) issued the following statement:
“This group of diverse experts will offer a much needed outside perspective on what exactly needs to be done to bring our tax system up to date. I look forward to reviewing their findings and quickly implementing those suggestions that help stabilize our economy and future.”
Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) issued the following statement:
“When I first proposed having a thorough review of California’s economic structure, to modernize and stabilize a system built for the 1930s, this is exactly the kind of top-flight group I envisioned. The recommendations these outstanding individuals will make will help get vital programs Californians depend on, like education, firefighting and children’s healthcare, off the annual budget roller coaster. I applaud Governor Schwarzenegger for helping make this Commission a reality, I appreciate the other legislative leaders’ support for it, and most of all I thank the members of the commission for the hard task they are undertaking.”
Senate Republican Leader Dave Cogdill (R-Modesto) issued the following statement:
“California’s volatile budget cycle is caused by a boom-bust revenue stream coupled with the state spending more than it takes in. I look forward to the commission providing insightful, revenue-neutral recommendations to improve our broken budget system while ensuring our state remains competitive in a global economy.”
Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines (R-Fresno) issued the following statement:
“I believe the commission has a great opportunity to make positive and lasting changes for our state by focusing on tax reforms that will encourage economic growth, job creation and opportunity for Californians, while stabilizing revenue to prevent the severe budget crises that have plagued our state in recent years. I remain hopeful that the commission will not be used as another forum to push for higher taxes, as any honest look at our tax system will surely conclude that Californians are already overtaxed today. I look forward to the public debate that will follow and working with my colleagues to put a tax system in place that is pro-growth, pro-jobs and pro-taxpayer.”
More on the appointees here.
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