NSR, you are correct in pointing out the ridiculousness of the notion that the current governor has exercised any kind of fiscal discipline. But the budget totals you are citing are not an apples-to-apples comparison. You are using the 2003 General Fund total, and the 2007 “all funds” total. The 2007 GF total is closer to $101 billion. There is always around $45 or so billion in special fund spending that is counted in the overall state budget, but does not come from the General Fund and your income, sales and corporation taxes. Instead it is funding from fees like the Motor Vehicle Account (supports DMV and CHP), professional licensing fees for doctors, nurses, and hair stylists, and transportation funds that come from the gas tax and other separate revenue sources that have restricted uses.
