THAT’S DEBATABLE:

A recent poll showed voters are dissatisfied with five state ballot measures designed to solve the state’s budget crisis. If voters reject the ballot measures, what then? What do you specifically propose we should do?

I argued against this budget deal and the higher taxes from the start, warning my colleagues that California’s deficit would soon grow worse because of the economic drag of additional taxes and the lack of any real government reform. Less than four weeks after passage of the supposed “fix” we see a new deficit of $8 billion.

We need to reform government. We need to reduce spending. We should sell excess state properties. We can also raise $5 billion by opening up offshore areas to new state oil leases that can be extracted using slant drilling that requires no new platforms.

Chuck DeVore

Assemblyman

(R-Newport Beach)

The voters’ message would be pretty clear: Tax increases and gimmicks are not the way to solve the state’s budget woes. I agree. Financing California’s overblown government is a complicated proposition made more difficult by voter spending mandates. There are only a few responsible options — reduce spending and increase revenues.

Specifically, I would look at consolidating state agencies, eliminating underperforming programs, selling unnecessary state properties and assets and, most importantly, bringing businesses and jobs to California.

Today, Californians became the highest-taxed state in the nation.

More tax increases are totally out of the question.

I voted against them in February, and I will vote against them again.

Tom Harman

State Senator

(R-Huntington Beach)

Voters should be skeptical of these propositions since the overall goal is to continue Sacramento’s unaccountable overspending.

I voted against this budget because, besides raising taxes, it did not reduce the size, waste or inefficiencies of our current system.

Just as families are doing, government must tighten its belt like never before. Our state must close departments that have outlived their usefulness and consolidate those we need to the bare minimum.

Only when the waste is gone can taxpayers have faith in our state government.

The people of California are hardworking, innovative and completely capable of turning this economy around, but they need their leaders to take the burdens of taxation, regulation and litigation off of our economy.

Van Tran

Assemblyman

(R-Costa Mesa)