This came over the transom a little while ago from the Lincoln Club of Orange County:

LINCOLN CLUB OF ORANGE COUNTY VOTES TO OPPOSE ALL MAY 19TH PROPOSITIONS

Club leaders urge Sacramento to find budget solution that requires state government to live within its means

NEWPORT BEACH, CA (March 12, 2009) - In a sweeping condemnation of the recently passed state budget, members of the Lincoln Club of Orange County today voted unanimously to oppose all six propositions that will appear on the May 19th Special Election ballot. The propositions were designed to add additional funds to the recent budget deal brokered by the Governor and legislative Democrats, with the votes of only six Republicans.

"Supporting any of these initiatives would send a wrong message of support for a budget that raises taxes and continues Sacramento's shell game of shifting taxpayer dollars," said Richard Wagner, Lincoln Club President. "Unlike the political insiders who brokered this deal and who are often beholden to special interests such as public employee unions, we evaluated these propositions for their impact on businesses and taxpayers. We simply cannot support a plan that increases taxes in this economic climate, hurts working families, drives more jobs and businesses out of California, and weakens our economy."

Dan Baren, chairman of the Lincoln Club's Legislative Committee, which reviewed the initiatives in depth, said that while some propositions, such as 1F, have merit, it is clear that they do not address the crux of California's financial crisis - overspending.

"Government spending has increased 40% over the past four years and Californians pay the highest taxes in the country, so it's clear that the Governor and Sacramento Democrats refuse to acknowledge that we are simply addicted to spending," Baren said. "We urge legislators to find a solution that forces government to live within its means, just as families are trying to do every day in this economic climate."

Club members agreed that voters must be aware of misleading proposition titles. For example, Prop. 1A, the so-called 'spending cap' initiative, actually increases taxes by allowing 'temporary' increases on income taxes, sales taxes, and vehicle license fees to be extended for up to four years. Prop. 1C, the so-called 'lottery modernization' measure, which allows the state to borrow on future lottery revenues, relies on the overly optimistic assumption that the lottery revenues will increase by 40% and that lottery bonds can actually be sold. Other propositions simply shift funds for education and social programs to cover future budget shortfalls in exchange for future increases in spending.

Baren added, "While Prop. 1F has some merit, we see it for what it is - a token measure to get one weak-kneed Republican Senator to vote for a tax-raising budget. Why punish those legislators who stood firm against tax increases? That's one message we cannot afford to send."

Founded in 1962, the Lincoln Club of Orange County is an association of business men and women and professionals who support candidates and causes to limit the size of government, and promote low taxes and pro-business policies. More info: [http://www.lincolnclub.org] www.lincolnclub.org.

Good for the Club. I was already planning to vote that way, but it's nice to be in good company.

The Republican Party of Orange County is planing to debate and possible vote on the My 19 propositions on Monday night.