"What happens on May 19? Do voters decide to approve taxes and cuts, or does
the whole package go down in flames?"

"Early polling — very early polling — shows Steve Poizner and Meg Whitman in a tight GOP primary election next year for governor. Who will win — and can either beat a Democrat in the general?"

It doesn't matter who wins, because Jerry Brown will be elected Governor in 2010.

“Proposals from the forum on overhauling government include getting rid of the two-thirds vote for budgets, eliminating term limits, independent redistricting and indirect initiatives. What do you think?”

Yes, Yes, No and No.

We need a constitutional convention to overhaul the whole structure of government. Many of the problems are

“Republican Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth of Murietta is the new Senate Republican Leader, having deposed Dave Cogdill in a  late-night coup. Is this a good thing? What does it mean for the budget?"

The only difference between Hollingsworth and a caveman is that the caveman was smarter and better looking.

Bad

“A budget deal appears to be in the offing: sales tax hike, school cuts, VLF increase, spending cap. Is there reason to think this budget will do the trick, or will it be more smoke and mirrors?”

It’s the best the sausage-making could come up with – and the LAO will, predictably,

“Wall Street’s verdict on California’s political leadership is in: The state’s credit rating is now the lowest of the 50 states. So what happens now?”

Nothing.

Our credit rating deserves to be the lowest of the 50 states. Schwarzenegger should be ashamed of himself for leading us into a bigger fiscal

“Regarding the state budget, should lawmakers and the governor wait on a bailout from Congress, or should they do the deed right now?”

Rome is burning…..Waiting on Congress shows a lack of fortitude to make the tough choices. Put the fiddle down and get to work, boys and girls!

Do the

“Given Barack Obama’s call to sacrifice, will California lawmakers and the governor accept deep cuts and tax increases to balance the budget?”

Yes.

The President’s call will have no impact on what California lawmakers do. Which speaks volumes about the bubble state legislators still want to believe they live in.

“Should we return to a part-time Legislature? The buzz is that Schwarzenegger is pushing the idea anew. What do you think?”

Here’s a novel idea: Let’s think of ways to make the current Legislature more effective rather than regurgitating unrealistic notions from a previous century.

It will happen…..

Oh

“Gov. Schwarzenegger, back from vacation, has postponed his State of the State Address until Jan. 15. He’s already unveiled his 2009-10 budget. What’s with the changes in timing — smart politics or a communications blunder?”

Instead of a State of the State speech, couldn’t we just settle for a picture of an