The budget deal backed by the Governor moved one step closer to reality today, as it passed through committee on its way to the floor. The package still retains most of the shocking cuts to the social safety net:<\/p>\n
After years of fighting to save health and social services for the poor and elderly, Democrats on a key legislative committee reversed direction Thursday and voted for a budget plan that makes large cuts to California’s safety net. And, in a rare action, the vote sends the package to the full Legislature months before the constitutional deadline.<\/p>\n
Lawmakers voted to limit welfare, cap the number of doctor visits for the poor, end the Adult Day Health Care program for the elderly and eliminate redevelopment agencies, among other reductions, to close California’s $26.6 billion deficit. (SF Chronicle<\/a>)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
I’ve written about<\/a> that “cap the number of doctor visits for the poor” proviso. And frankly, if that somehow passes, which I’m still investigating its chances now, we need to get our heads (and our consciences) examined.<\/p>\n
Nonetheless, at this point it is pretty hard to argue that Democrats aren’t giving something up. It’s just that they’ve given up too much already.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The budget deal backed by the Governor moved one step closer to reality today, as it passed through committee on its way to the floor. The package still retains most of the shocking cuts to the social safety net:<\/p>\n
After years of fighting to save health and social services for the poor and elderly, Democrats on a key legislative committee reversed direction Thursday and voted for a budget plan that makes large cuts to California’s safety net. And, in a rare action, the vote sends the package to the full Legislature months before the constitutional deadline.<\/p>\n
Lawmakers voted to limit welfare, cap the number of doctor visits for the poor, end the Adult Day Health Care program for the elderly and eliminate redevelopment agencies, among other reductions, to close California’s $26.6 billion deficit. (SF Chronicle<\/a>)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n