SAN FRANCISCO, CA - California today announced sweeping measures to eliminate the budget deficit, restore the state's fiscal health, and affix blame for current dismal conditions.

"The deficit is completely the fault of the legislature and has nothing to do with the hard-working people of California,'' said "Toward a True Golden State,'' a statement signed by representatives of the Senate and Assembly.

"California has a perfect climate, fertile soil, warm-water ports, excellent infrastructure, first-rate higher education, and an eager and highly trained work force. To translate such assets into a massive deficit and sluggish economy requires particular ineptitude and for that we accept full responsibility,'' said the statement, which outlined several measures that representatives said should have been taken a long time ago. For example, all new spending programs would be halted.

"It is the height of irresponsibility to spend money the state does not have,'' said the statement, which cited measures for government health care and universal pre-school as unworthy of consideration.

"The priority must be to eliminate wasteful and counterproductive programs we already have,'' said the statement, which calls for a hiring freeze.

"It is obvious to the most casual observer that California government is bloated and wasteful. It is irresponsible to further expand it with additional hiring.'' The statement noted that during past hiring freezes, California had continued to hire at a more rapid rate than before.

Many state services, the statement added, would be accomplished more efficiently and at less expense, if contracted out. "This state has actually reversed effective privatization measures, and that must stop. The taxpayers deserve no less.'' The statement targets for elimination California's income tax.

"We cannot tax our way to prosperity. Many states get along fine without punishing their most productive workers with an additional tax on their hard-earned income. These are the very states that are drawing business away from California and this must stop if the Golden State is to restore prosperity.''

The state would decline to tax the internet and the current sales tax would be cut in half. Reductions in the car tax would be kept in place.

"Tripling the car tax, as some want to do, would punish every worker in this car-dependent state,'' said the statement. 'We simply cannot afford to turn back the clock on this issue.'' Also slated for elimination is the California Coastal Commission.

"This redundant body combines draconian regulation with pervasive corruption, insults the residents of coastal counties and makes housing more inaccessible to Californians.'' The statement notes that the courts have declared the Coastal Commission unconstitutional. The county offices of education would also have to go.

"Education is our biggest expenditure but far too much of the money never reaches the classroom because it must trickle down through endless layers of bureaucratic sediment.'' The county offices of education, the statement said, could easily be eliminated.

"The best way to achieve accountability, and higher achievement, would be to establish full choice in K-12 education, just as we do in higher education.''

Legislators not signatory to "Toward a True Golden State,'' said they would issue a statement of their own, backed with a rally at the capitol.