Assemblyman Ted Gaines and Red Hut owner Nancy Gardner. Photo/Kathryn Reed

By Kathryn Reed

When lawmakers begin the next budget cycle in January, Assemblyman Ted Gaines, R-Roseville, expects a $10 billion deficit will have to be dealt with.

“The revenue is just not there,” Gaines said.

He delivered this news to a roomful of constituents at the Red Hut Soda Fountain in South Lake Tahoe on Oct. 14.

After the meeting he told Lake Tahoe News he expects government workers will be laid off, private-public partnerships will be developed, and that drilling oil will become a serious discussion.

“We need to look at the extraction of oil in a safe way,” Gaines said. “There is billions of revenue in that.”

The area being looked at is the Tranquillon Ridge in Santa Barbara County. The Board of Supervisors there approved drilling at T-Ridge last year.

Gaines also supports additional drilling by using existing oil platforms.

Gaines’ opening remarks also touched on how water is such a contentious topic in the state.

“I want to make sure our needs are addressed in the north,” he said.

After those in attendance talked about the Kindertown day care issue, others probed the assemblyman on his stance to give more control to local entities, while taking it away from the state.

When asked how to change government and bring it back to the local level, Gaines said it’s necessary for people to get involved. He also said to pay attention to what the gubernatorial candidates are saying.

Some of these changes could come through a Constitutional Convention that is gaining momentum. He said the California Constitution is about 10 times longer than the U.S. document. But Gaines wants to make sure it is real reform.

“There are a lot of outdated regulations. We need the capacity to get rid of regulations,” Gaines said. “We are one of the most taxed states in the nation. They assume every business is a Fortune 500. They are killing small businesses.”