“Budget Reform”By Mayor Abram WilsonOn May 19

, voters across the state demanded leadership and accountability when they struck down increased taxes and spending in the form of ballot propositions 1A-1E. Proposition 1Fresonated with voters because it provided a way to hold legislators accountable. The current budget stalemate is the result of conflict between those who continue to advocate tax and spend policies and those who are seeking to live within their means during an economic downturn.Failure to produce a viable budget has lead to real consequences as the state’s bond rating was just lowered from A- to BBB.Under Governor Schwarzenegger's tenure, California's general fund has grown 35 percent. Thismassive increase in spending has created gross amounts of government waste as programs areleft unchecked and unaccountable. Let’s allow programs that are not working to sunset and focuson a top-to-bottom evaluation of government to see what’s working and what’s not. Whilecutting waste doesn’t solve the entire budget mess, it’s a start and it needs to be done.As the Mayor of San Ramon, I am gravely concerned about our state leaders passing a new budget without meaningful reform. In the midst of an economic downturn, California citizensare already faced with the greatest tax increase in the state’s history. They cannot continue to bethe state's lifeline. At the local level, cities are still paying for the years in which the state took redevelopment funds instead of making budget choices. Ultimately, cities were forced toshoulder budget and program cuts of their own.Our state legislators need to make the tough decisions necessary to balance the budget. When Itook office ten years ago, San Ramon’s financial circumstances were similar to that of the state.Specifically, the city had a structural deficit that was driving businesses away. The council and Iacted quickly by cutting non-essential services, placing maintenance on hold, and freezing salaryincreases. In addition, we eliminated unnecessary regulations for San Ramon businesses thatenabled businesses to flourish. With these solutions in place, San Ramon regained its financialstability, fully funded city services, created a "rainy day fund," and ultimately received a AAA bond rating.I believe the state budget should focus on tax credits and incentives for small businesses so theycan create jobs. It is essential that government provide an environment where small businessescan flourish because they create two out of every three new jobs. The continued reliance ontaxation will only make the economic picture worse. Incentives for innovation in health care,information technology, and financial services would help to spur new job growth in the EastBay. We must remember that educating our children for the jobs of the 21st century shouldremain our goal. We want them to come back here after college and have a pool of jobs so theycan enjoy our quality of life and continue to invest in the community they love and grew up in.During tough times hard-working families are forced to make hard decisions. Citizens shouldexpect nothing less of the representatives they send to Sacramento. We must stop spending more