The Associated Press is reporting that the $14.5 billion budget deficit in California may be much higher. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger told an AP reporter over the weekend that the deficit may be even bigger. That's terrible news if you are a government worker or rely on government services.
This could mean even bigger cuts to local governments and schools. In addition, the governor has already asked for a 10% cut in all state agencies. The Legislative Analyst's Office will make its report on the governor's budget on Wednesday, and we should learn more about the state's financial problems from this review.
The state problems are another indication that the California economy continues to struggle. Sales tax revenue is way down, and that's an important indicator of the vibrancy of the state's economy.
Once again over and unnecessary spending has buried us in Calif. We need an experienced financial adviser to come in and review where this money is going. Cars for state workers along with all gas and maintanence is ridiculous as are travel expense accounts. The travel must first be deemed necessary and they should pay upfront then get reimbursed for for set allowances. Some of which allow them to have steak and lobster for meals that shouldn't exceed a max of $10 per meal which is perfectly suitable.There needs to be a review of every person on public assisstance as many are working and making a decent living but nobody checks up on them as is the case with those is subsidized housing like Section 8 Obviously the current system is not working. There also needs to be a cap on how many children they will get money for as I have seen over and over many people having more to get more or just being careless knowing they will get more. There are just so many places that cuts can be made without hurting education and other important programs. We simply can't spend what we dont generate. A financial adviser is imperative at this point for a complete audit and not somebody currently involved.
We keep hearing the mantra of "unnecessary spending," but no one has identified any significant fat in the budget that can be cut without impairing essential services. Isn't this the sort of fiscal crisis that Gov. Schwarzeneggar was promising to prevent when he was elected? It looks like nothing has changed in Sacramento. All we have is Gray Davis with an accent.
The Governor began his transformation following the defeat of his propositons. Propositions that would have helped reform the systems that are now burying the California budget. The public employee unions are huge and holding the state hostage.Add to that the bond measures that were passed after the transformation and we may be worse off than we were with Governor Davis. Even bigger hole- even less revenue on the horizon.Same leadership. Someone with his own syndicated radio show said things will get worse before they get better.I don't see how things will get better.Just worse.
That the problem is worse than previously thought - of course it is! Are we now expecting politicians to tell us the "truth and nothing but the truth?" Don’t be ridiculous!
How much money would we save if the illegals in prison was to be deported?