SACRAMENTO, April 1 (UPI) -- California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Democrats who want his job are saying little about how to solve the state's projected budget crunch, a report said.
The GOP incumbent, who is seeking re-election, and Democratic state Controller Steve Westly have proposed nothing concrete to deal with the state's budget shortfall, which is projected to hit $5 billion in three years, The Los Angeles Times reported.
Democratic state Treasurer Phil Angelides, an opponent of Westly in the upcoming June primary, has suggested higher income taxes while closing tax loopholes -- but only to benefit schools.
"It's such a contentious issue that nobody wants to deal with it," economist Christopher Thornberg of the University of California-Los Angeles told the newspaper.
While Schwarzenegger has said economic growth will cure most of the state's budget ills, a UCLA report last week projected California's job growth will slow during the next two years due mainly to a weak construction industry.
