GOVERNOR ELECT BROWN'S STRAIGHT-UP HONESTY ABOUT CALIFORNIA'S WORSENING FINANCIAL MESS..........

There is no doubt that incoming California Governor and the new Legislature, face a tough and tight, State Budget crisis; as the deficit has grown in the past 6 weeks from $25.4 billion, to $28.8 billion, and will require very deep cuts in  State of California spending and ever more certainly, a significant increase in taxes.  That is the unfortunate, sobering, indisputable, reality ahead of us.  Governor -Elect Brown has pledged throughout his campaign, not to raise taxes without the consent and vote of the People.  A statewide Initiative of proposing tax increases will take a 2/3 majority of California voters supporting such a measure to pass.  The solution to closing the fiscal gap and getting California financially solvent again, is going to be very hard work.  And the Governor and the Legislature can no longer seek quick, delaying, fixes, that temporarily kick the can down the road.  The time for responsible and necessary action is now, if California is to be averted from all out collapse.  Do our elected state officials have the strength and the courage to truly lead us out of this abyss ?  And do the citizens of California possess the willingness and resolve, to do the hard and painful things that will be required of all of us, to rectify the serious problems ?  As Governor of California Jerry Brown from 1975-1983, he was known for frugality and fiscal conservatism.  If he applies that same, and an even higher standard now, and can convince Democrats, Republicans, and Independents, to look beyond politics, and special interests, and bickering, there may be hope that a productive partnership may be formed throughout the 800 miles, 38.8 million person populated, Golden State of California, that will put us back on track for even better years of growth, development, progress, and fiscal sanity..........Hear Us O Lord - We Pray,   Fr.  Troy