On the heels of last week's budget vote imposing tens of billions in new taxes on Golden State residents, the California Republican Party approved a measure to deny campaign funding to the 6 Republicans that crossed over to vote for the tax hike-laden budget.

Click here to read ATR's statement on last week's budget vote and to read Grover's piece that was published in yesterday's Sacramento Bee, click here.  Over the weekend the Wall Street Journal also provided a succinct assessment of what plagues California.

The good news from all of this - other states are learning from California's bad example.  Legislation introduced in Texas by Representative Ken Paxton (R-McKinney) and Senator Dan Patrick (R-Houston) would ensure that the Lone Star State lives within its means and has a government that the state can afford.  The bill (HB 994/SB 992), dubbed the "California Disaster Avoidance Plan," would ensure that state spending does not outpace the rate of growth in population and inflation.  It's no wonder that Californians are moving to Texas in droves where elected officials are looking for ways to protect taxpayers rather than fleece them.

Click the "Read More" button to read ATR's statement in support of this legislation:

Taxpayer Group Endorses Texas Legislation

“California Disaster Avoidance Plan” ties spending to population and inflation

 

Washington, D.C. – Americans for Tax Reform, today, announced their support for House Bill 994, dubbed “The California Disaster Avoidance Plan.” HB 994, introduced by Rep. Ken Paxton (R-McKinney) and Sen. Dan Patrick (R-Houston), would prohibit state spending increases from outpacing growth in population and inflation. 

 

“I applaud Rep. Ken Paxton and Sen. Dan Patrick for bringing forth this much needed legislation,” said Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform. “Nearly every state budget is in the red and profligate spending is what got so many states into the current fiscal mess. This bill will ensure that the Lone Star State avoids the same experience.”

 

According to Center for Fiscal Accountability, Texans already spend 186 days annually – well over half the year – just paying off the cost of their government.  Projections peg Texas’s budget shortfall anywhere from $3 billion to $12 billion.

 

“Has the state of Texas fared better than most states in this current recession? Yes, but the projected deficit is indicative of the fact that the state still does not live within its means,” continued Norquist. “Now more than ever is the time for a spending limit in Texas. Rep. Paxton and Sen. Patrick’s bill will take taxpayers off of the chopping block and force government to exercise fiscal restraint just as Texan families do everyday.”

Posted by Patrick Gleason on Tuesday, February 24, 2009 12:00 PM EST

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