Deukmejian and State Budget

It appears that Gov. Deukmejian is more of an astute politician than a sincere leader. At a time when our state is imperiled with a host of critical problems, the Duke is offering a tax rebate. Of course, he has the Gann spending limit to hide behind, skirting any attempt at debate with his tiresome pronouncement, “It’s the law.” Never mind the fact that surplus state money can be channeled to struggling school districts which have not yet approached the spending limit. “It’s the law,” repeats Deukmejian. Rebate!

Sadly, the governor is following the politically expedient path of supporting the spending limit even though it is clearly a bad law. The limit’s arbitrary formula does not provide the flexibility to cope with problems unforeseen when it was approved in 1979. None of us had heard of AIDS in 1979, for example, nor did most of us realize that toxic waste management would become such an enormous economic burden.

The limit accounts for rises in population, but not for changes in the demographic composition which is now straining the delivery of human services to the breaking point in many counties. And how will the state cope with the next crisis, whatever that will be?

Amending the Gann limit, or adhering to it with the least negative impact, can only happen with Gov. Deukmejian’s leadership. Instead, in Reaganesque fashion, he rhapsodizes about rebates, spending limits and the state’s healthy economy, while downplaying or blatantly ignoring the growing problems confronting California. This approach bodes well for the governor’s personal future, while leaving ours uncertain.

HOWARD COTT

Los Angeles