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OUR YUCAIPA | MARCH 2016 23 At the beginning of the year, the governor released the details of his proposed state budget. While the next few months will be filled with negotiations and committee hearings to hammer out the details, it is already clear that this budget continues a trend of government growth and spending at the expense of the taxpayer – this time to the tune of a record $122.6 billion. The governor and Democratic leaders have reiterated their belief that California is in good financial shape and have used this assessment to justify spending increases, though many, including the governor himself, continue to warn that another recession could be just around the corner. Yet still the governor has doubled down on calls for higher taxes. A cornerstone of this plan would enact $3 billion in new gas taxes and "road user fees." Senate Republicans have put forward our own plan that would provide nearly the same amount for California's roads and highways without raising taxes. Included in our plan is a guarantee that taxes paid by drivers and truckers would be used to the benefit of our roads and highways. If you drive as much as I do, you are well aware that in California, we already pay among the nation's highest prices for gas. Between taxes and environmental regulations, government costs imposed on motorists is nearly 70 cents per gallon. For families and businesses alike, paying more at the pump will mean even less money to put toward investing and saving for the future. This budget proposal is premised on a view that the books are balanced. By several measures, however, California's fiscal situation is far from balanced. Consider that the State Treasurer has estimated state and local government debt at $1.5 trillion. While the budget includes about $7 billion to pay down related debt costs, this amount represents only the minimum necessary to pay off a small portion of state liabilities. With windfall revenues, the budget could pay off more debt, avoid future interest costs, and prevent the cycle of issuing more debt to finance existing debt so that future generations are not stuck having to foot this bill rather than fuel more out-of-control spending in Sacramento on things like high-speed rail. Our duty is to provide an environment where businesses and families thrive. We have our work cut out for us in California, where the nation's top CEOs for 11 years straight have named our state the worst place to do business. Throughout history, it has been demonstrated that the larger government becomes, the more it consumes, and the fewer freedoms all of us will have. Last year, Republicans heeded this cautionary truth to stop tax increases in their tracks. As we finalize the budget in the months ahead, our resolve remains the same as we work to protect the taxpayers of California. Senator Mike Morrell, R-Rancho Cucamonga, represents the 23rd District in the State Senate which includes portions of Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. Governor's Record Budget Asks Taxpayers for Even More By Senator Mike Morrell