For some reason, many people who ought to know better continue to push for a massive tax increase in California to fix the state's ongoing budget problems. But the more money we provide to the people who run this state, the more they will spend. A new report from the Think Long Committee, funded by billionaire Nicolas Berggruen, suggests a $10 billion tax increase and some reforms aimed at limiting voters' input on initiatives. Here is my column from the weekend on this. The committee includes myriad establishment has-been politicians such as former Gov. Gray Davis, who was recalled by Arnold Schwarzenegger, who also contributed to the committee. Former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown and Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom participated also. So a billionaire assembles many of the state's failed politicians and comes up with a "think long" idea that amounts to the same idea these and other California politicians always offer -- tax increases. The funniest thing -- the committee mentions the pension crisis, then suggests that politicians work with unions to resolve. Brilliant.
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