[anamax]

> then we made the problem much worse by passing a slew of costly initiatives without being willing to raise the money to fund them fully.

That's simply not true.

CA's spending has increased 20+% more than population and inflation since 2005 or so. Initiatives are not responsible for a significant fraction of that increase (and most of them are self-funding).

Note that the amount of the increase since 2005 is roughly equal to the deficit, so cutting back to then would balance the budget.

I'd argue that none of the new programs and increases since 2005 have been a significant benefit. Those who do think that their new program is essential are invited to find some pre-2005 fat to pay for said program.