Phil Matier: Voters Tolerate Neither Taxes Nor Cuts

(KCBS) - Californians object to increasing taxes to deal with the state's budget deficit, now estimated at more than $25 billion when Governor-elect Jerry Brown takes office in January.

Cutting spending, however, remains very unpopular. A new Los Angeles Times / University of Southern California poll shows voters oppose cuts on programs that make up the majority of the state's general fund obligations.

KCBS and Chronicle Insider Phil Matier said there's a fundamental disconnect. Voters perceive large amounts of wasteful or fraudulent spending in the budget, but are unwilling to let politicians cut spending on programs that affect them personally.

KCBS and Chronicle Insider Phil Matier:

(© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)