We might not know who will win the presidential election in 2012, but syndicated columnist Cal Thomas has some “certain” predictions for the next year.

The economic stimulus pipeline from Washington to the states is about to run dry.

This means many governors can be expected to ask their legislatures, or voters, to raise taxes for “essential” programs. To government, all programs are “essential.”

According to the National Taxpayers Union (NTU), Washington state is planning to put a tax-increase proposal on its ballot in March, while California voters are likely to vote in November on raising taxes.

California is a certifiably insolvent state. It is in deep debt because Democratic politicians won’t stop spending, not because taxpayers aren’t paying their “fair share.”

We are hearing — or will soon hear — that state governments have cut spending to the bone and disaster will occur if more is cut. It’s never true, but fear has always worked to squeeze more money out of the people who earn it.