Truth Test: Brown's Speech Partially Holds Up

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Gov. Jerry Brown says he's been aggressive in making government smaller.

"Last year we were looking at a structural deficit of $20 billion," he said Wednesay in his State of the State address. "It was a real mess. But you (lawmakers) rose to the occasion and together we shrunk state government."

But did Brown really shrink state government? Well, the deficit is much smaller now, but Brown's budget proposal calls for $92.5 billion in spending this year. That's $6 billion more than last year ($86.5), a 7 percent increase according to the legislative analyst's office.

Republicans don't see that as shrinking government.

"Unfortunately, the governor's vision is centered around one thing, higher taxes," said Connie Conway, the Republican Assembly leader.

And what about those taxes. Are they necessary to balance the budget?

"If we are successful in passing the temporary taxes I have proposed and the economy continues to expand, schools will be in a much stronger position," Brown said in his speech.

Republicans are skeptical, saying the economy will grow stronger and faster without higher taxes.
"I get the picture that he wants to temporarily take money out of people's wallets, but once it's gone, it's gone," said Costa Mesa Republican Allan Mansoor. "There's no such thing as a temporary tax."

Voters will ultimately decide if the governor is right about taxes being necessary. But as for shrinking governmentm, his statements are partially true. The deficit is down but spending is up.