I’ve been afraid of this. Republican legislators in Sacramento sound as if they’re ready to cave to the tax-and-spend Democrats and blow nearly $10 BILLION in your tax dollars.

On Friday, Arnold Schwarzenegger agreed with the demands of Democrat leaders Darrell Steinberg and Karen Bass to give $9.5 BILLION to the wasteful, dysfunctional state education establishment (i.e. “public” schools).

Steinberg and Bass were all smiles because, although virtually the same proposal was defeated by the voters (Prop. 1B), they’ve found a way to “finesse” state law to slip in this $9.5 BILLION expenditure WITHOUT VOTER APPROVAL. Read more.

At a time when waste needs to be cut, giving $9.5 BILLION to the undeserving education establishment is a “payout” and a “payback” for the educrats’ campaign contributions to Democrats.

Why is Schwarzenegger going for it? He supported the foolish Prop. 1B on the ballot, and may be tiring of his new experiment in fiscal conservatism.

Republican leaders should know better than to go for this. This tentative “deal” is bad for the budget, bad for taxpayers, and bad for real education. Republicans, although the minority party in Sacramento, still have the votes to block this bad budget deal and they should block it indeed. See our waste report.

The truth is, public schools are wasting TENS OF BILLIONS of dollars every year, always demanding more, but delivering less. Consider that the public school drop-out rate is 33% and it’s more than 50% among blacks and Hispanics. And the public school establishment wants a “raise”?

Not convinced of all the problems in public schools that more money won’t solve? Read more here.

TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION

Call the Republican leaders right now, here on Saturday, to tell them “Don’t cave in. Don’t give $9.5 BILLION to the education establishment. Hold out for massive cuts in waste. Eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse.  Now is your time for greatness. Don’t go on vacation. Fight for us!”

Senate Republican Leader Dennis Hollingsworth of Murietta (916) 651-4036
Assembly Republican Leader Sam Blakeslee of San Luis Obispo (916) 319-2033
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (916) 445-2841 (Mon-Fri 9-5)

Especially call the six Republican legislators who voted to raised taxes in February:

Senator Abel Maldonado of Santa Maria (916) 651-4015
(Maldonado says he’s open to new taxes, fees and borrowing)
Senator Dave Cogdill of Modesto (916) 651-4014
Senator Roy Ashburn of Bakersfield (916) 651-4018
Assemblyman Mike Villines of Clovis (916) 319-2029
Assemblyman Anthony Adams of Hesperia (916) 319-2059
Assemblyman Roger Niello of Sacramento (916) 319-2005

Email Schwarzenegger and your own state legislators