La Super Rica taco stand in Santa Barbara, California.
I grew up in LA. Back in the sixties.
In those days, a lot of good ideas came out of California: The Free Speech Movement. The Jefferson Airplane. Fish tacos.
It is happening again.
One of the wins I didn’t cover in yesterday’s post was the victory of California’s Proposition 30.
It was a simple idea. Instead of cutting education funding, California will raise taxes on those earning over a quarter of a million bucks and will raise the sales tax.
I’m not claiming we in Illinois should copy the California model. I’m not really good with sales taxes, since they tend to hurt those with less income a lot harder than those who earn more.
But the underlying premise of Prop 30 was that raising revenue, primarily on those most able to pay, is better than budget cutting and austerity. And it is better for the economy of the entire state, not just those directly impacted. In the case of California, it means rolling back a 9% tuition increase for state college and university students.
In Illinois, the political leaders have taken the opposite approach. Our governor claims he was born to cut pensions. The now-more-powerful-than-ever Speaker of the House, Michael Madigan, wants state retirees to choose between a cost of living adjustment to their pension or access to the teacher health insurance program.
The ideal solution would be to create a progressive income tax system in the state, which puts a heavier burden on those most able to afford it. Presently we have a tax rate in this state that taxes the rich and the poor exactly the same. This is no way for the state to raise enough money to pay its bills.
The good news in Illinois is that public employees showed some muscle in defeating Madigan’s anti-pension Constitutional Amendment.
Public employees are a huge, huge constituency. We are spread out in every legislative district in the state.
Even with a ballot measure designed to be confusing. In spite of the backing of the Civic Committee, the governor and the Speaker. In spite of a weak effort by the state’s public employee unions (Did you try calling for window or lawn signs that said, Vote No? I did. Without success. “We got some stickers,” I was told.). In spite of all that, the measure failed.
Democrats now rule the state’s General Assembly with a veto proof majority.
Our trick is to find those Democrats in the General Assembly who are willing to stand in support of the Illinois Constitution. And remind them of our numbers.
Fred Klonsky 
I’m from Santa Barbara. Living in Hawaii now. We go back and forth a few times a year (grandchildren). Great picture. So many new little places in out of the way corners now, especially off of State Street. Saw this great pic and had to respond. Thanks for all your work. I read and stare at all you blog. I remember all the concerts at Earl Warren Showgrounds and UCSB. And, of course the Filmore, Avalon Ballroom in the City.