Some additional details have been released about the budget deal that the Legislative leaders have cobbled together through a report released by the Senate today. (PDF here) My title here signifies a few things. First, that the budget is pretty optimistic for the amount of money it expects from the federal government. But beyond the great big sense of hope, this budget is basically something that you’d expect to see out of a Republican dream list.
Under the plan, current state employees would have their pay cut, contribute more to their pension plan and would be subjected to a payroll freeze. The combination would save the state $1.5 billion this year, the report says.
Lawmakers also would suspend the state’s education-funding guarantee, lowering school spending by $3 billion. But more than half of that cutback would be an accounting move, simply deferring payment of some school bills until the following fiscal year.
The eight-page conference report does not detail all the proposed cuts in the plan. But California’s in-home healthcare program for the elderly, blind and disabled would shrink by 3.6%, the document says. Child-care services provided by the state would be trimmed by $48 million. (LA Times)
This is hardly something to be proud of. It’s a budget, I suppose, and given the 2/3 requirements, this is what you expect. But this budget will continue the state on a path down the road of fewer services, less investment in the future, and a bleak outlook. There is no winner in this, save those who want to push the state over the cliff.
Although given the political climate out there, I was expecting something much worse. You know it is bad when Jerry Brown is bashing pensions.
The majority vote proposition might pass, Brown could win, and they could put together a real budget. Why are they doing a Republican budget now?
Aka What is wrong with these people?
I’m obviously missing something, because I don’t get it. Enlighten me, someone?
When the Republicans agree to a budget that violates their “no new taxes” principles, there’s a change in leadership. Why can’t the Democrats change their leadership (Steinberg)? I think this is the third time he’s surrendered to their demands. There must be someone tougher than he is.
What happened to forcing Schwarzenegger to get state employee pay cuts and pension “reform” through collective bargaining? When Schwarzenegger said he won’t sign a budget deal that included pension “reform” until he leaves office, Steinberg basically told said “fine, we can wait for the next Governor.” Now all of the sudden, he’s changed his tune to “Sure Mr. Schwarzenegger, you can have whatever you want!” WTF?! I’m getting screwed…AGAIN!
Also, I think that $1.5 billion is…WRONG! I seriously doubt their factoring in the loss of revenue from income taxes. I think its time that we embraced a modified version of Reagen’s idiotic speech and say “read my lips, no new CUTS!”
while better than never getting the money, are still a big deal for districts trying to manage cash flow. The vendors and employees providing those services still expect to be paid on time…
Well, Arnold can retire under a big “Mission Accomplished” banner. He came into office to save his rich friends from having to pay more taxes, and he’s done his part. (Remember, he line-item-vetoed another $1 billion from the budget “deal.” On the backs of the poor, of course.)
Two of his first actions on taking office were to cut state revenues by re-cutting the auto registration fee, and dropping the lawsuit for $8 billion Enron scammed us for while we were screaming for the Bush-Cheney gang to impose price controls (the latter was speculative, but he made sure it wouldn’t happen).
And what do we get out of all these bums? Smoke, mirrors, and hey, which shell is the pea under?