Honig a Demagogue: Governor : Calls Educator ‘Irresponsible’ in Budget Criticism

Gov. George Deukmejian, in an unusual tongue-lashing aimed at state schools Supt. Bill Honig, called Honig a “demagogue” today, and said the educator was “totally irresponsible” in criticizing Deukmejian’s $39.05-billion proposed budget.

“Mr. Honig does not come forward with any suggestions or proposal other than to ask for an increase (in funds) in every single program in the K-12 (kindergarten through high school) area,” Deukmejian told reporters at a Capitol news conference. “Bill Honig and the people in education have to act smarter. . . . “

Deukmejian devoted virtually all of the first 30 minutes of his briefing to discussion of education in general or Honig in particular. “I think if you look up the word demagogue in the dictionary . . . , you’ll see that it fits,” Deukmejian said.

On Tuesday, Honig called Deukmejian’s proposed budget “a disaster” and vowed to lead a fight for more funding. Honig, who said Deukmejian’s proposals amount to a 4% cut in school funding, said he is considering suing the governor in order to obtain the funding.

Sees ‘4% Real Cut’

“It’s going to be a disaster. You’re talking about a 4% real cut in programs. It’s going to cause enough pain to jeopardize the (school) reforms,” Honig told reporters at a briefing on the budget. (Story, Page 3.)

He said he plans to mobilize at least 2 million parents to hold marches and rallies and appeal to businesses to lobby the Legislature and the Republican governor to provide more money for schools.

“I don’t know what his plans are,” Deukmejian said, “when someone goes out and tries to stir up the emotions of individuals. He didn’t contact me first. . . . He didn’t come to me and say what his concerns are, unlike the other leaders in the other sections of education.”

Deukmejian has proposed spending $11.7 billion in state funds for public schools, an increase of 2.1% over this year. In addition, schools would get $3.7 billion in local property tax money and $492,951,000 from the lottery, for a total increase of 4% over this year.

But Honig said 2 percentage points of that increase goes to pay for 100,000 new students and 1 percentage point is from the lottery.

‘Our No. 1 Priority’

In defense, Deukmejian said today:

“Education remains our No. 1 spending priority with 55% of the general fund being directed to our schools. For every new general fund dollar spent by California over the last four years, 63 cents has been for support of education.”

“The high rollers and budget busters never call for higher taxes,” Deukmejian said. “They actually mislead the public into claiming the state is spending less.”

Deukmejian noted that 21 states, not including California, have had to trim their budgets because of a national economic slowdown and reduced tax revenues.

“We have to act smarter, and that means Bill Honig. We’re giving more money, albeit not as much money as he says he wants.”