ORANGE COUNTY PERSPECTIVE : Rowing Together

The state Senate’s approval this week of several bills intended to help Orange County recover from the bankruptcy was a welcome if limited development. Legislation to help the county raise cash is much needed, and now the Assembly must put its irksome politics aside to help by passing these bills.

The county needs this kind of assistance as a bare minimum, and the legislative efforts of state Sen. John R. Lewis (R-Orange) and others in this area are indeed valuable. However, the county delegation must make a much stronger commitment to the entire recovery program, and that includes support for Measure R, the half-cent sales tax that goes before voters in June.

At times during the crisis, Sacramento has seemed far removed from the realities facing Orange County. As a wealthy area known for conservative politics, the county has been an easy target for ideologues from all sides.

The time for assigning blame is past. The state has its own financial good name at stake in the outcome of Orange County’s rescue effort. Unfortunately, the county’s own representatives haven’t always been helpful. It is easy to say, as some have, that not every revenue option has been explored. In fact, alternatives have been considered, and nobody should know that better than the legislators. Their general reluctance to support the entire recovery program leaves the county vulnerable to the complaint that it is not doing enough. Let’s get on with a united front from Sacramento to Orange County.