Now this makes sense to me… way to go, Conan! Hasta la vista!

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Posted: 18 June 2009 1237 hrs

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

SAN FRANCISCO: California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has warned lawmakers against trying to raise taxes to plug the state's budget deficit, vowing to veto any proposed tax increase.

Speaking after meeting with Democratic legislators who have been working on a budget bill, the Republican governor said he would resist any attempt to hike taxes or fees for public services.

"I made it clear to them that even though they've done a good job, I cannot sign a budget that has tax increases in there," Schwarzenegger told reporters at a news conference in Sacramento.

"We just had the largest tax increase in the history of California four months ago. To come out with another tax increase four months later is irresponsible."

California is grappling with a 24-billion-dollar deficit caused by plunging revenues as the recession bites hard in the most populous US state. Schwarzenegger has warned that the state will run out of money next month unless lawmakers agree on a budget soon.

Schwarzenegger said he could not sanction tax increases on the public after Democratic lawmakers rejected his proposal to slash the pay of 235,000 state employees by five per cent.

"I think it would be very unfair to the people of California to protect state employees, to vote against a cut in state employees' salaries of five per cent while they raise taxes on the public," he said.

- AFP/so

From ChannelNewsAsia.com; see the source article here.

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