Thread: 5 things you need to know about: the CA. state budget

5 things you need to know about: the CA. state budget

2:00 a.m. May 23, 2009
- Associated Press

The voters have spoken, soundly rejecting a slew of propositions designed to help close the ever-widening chasm known as the California budget. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and state lawmakers say we are facing all-around misery. How bad is it going to get? Read on and weep.

What are the numbers? They are mind-numbingly ugly. How ugly? Try a $21.3 billion shortfall over then next 13 months. Sure, when you compare it with the numbers thrown around at the federal level, that number might seem like small change. But consider this: The state's general-fund budget is only $86 billion this year. You don't need to be a math wiz to see the problem.

The solution? Politicians of all persuasions say there will not be any additional tax increases. Before you do a celebratory fist pump, know this: The answer is going to be to cut, cut and cut some more. It will sort of be like the California Chainsaw Massacre, except with red ink instead of blood.

So where are they going to cut? Lawmakers say they have little choice as education, health and human services and public safety make up 85 percent of the budget. The Governator has suggested lopping an additional $5.3 billion from the state's K-12 schools and community colleges. The cuts could mean teacher layoffs and a school year that's a week shorter.

What's going to happen here? The state might also “borrowâ€

Any idea how much Calif. spends annually on keeping illegals cozy? Cutting all those ESL teachers, food stamps, etc., to people that don't pay taxes because they are being paid under the table might make a huge dent in the problem.

Originally Posted by vortex

Any idea how much Calif. spends annually on keeping illegals cozy? Cutting all those ESL teachers, food stamps, etc., to people that don't pay taxes because they are being paid under the table might make a huge dent in the problem.

Here are where the cuts will be.

So where are they going to cut? Lawmakers say they have little choice as education, health and human services and public safety make up 85 percent of the budget.

California could stop giving out food stamps and it wouldn't save California one dollar because Food Stamps are a federal program, handled by the states. All states must give them to whom ever the federal government tells them to give them too. Any money that isn't given to people must be returned to the federal government.
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Food Stamp Program
As of Oct. 1, 2008, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the new name for the federal Food Stamp Program. ...

www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/

Originally Posted by vortex

Any idea how much Calif. spends annually on keeping illegals cozy? Cutting all those ESL teachers, food stamps, etc., to people that don't pay taxes because they are being paid under the table might make a huge dent in the problem.

I see the amount you need being what's above the Human Services, Health, and Education.
So I think they should wipe out all that and leave the other 3 areas alone.
Those 3 get hit all the time.
I wonder what that 15% consists of?
Either way I hope they cut more of the pork and not those staples.....
I bet LaRaza will FLIP!
I hope they cut Pelosi's plane too! $60,000 round trip for that Cyborg?

Originally Posted by vortex

Any idea how much Calif. spends annually on keeping illegals cozy?

At least 15 billion a year, almost the same amount as our deficit. If you include all the illegals who received amnesty in the past, it's more than our deficit.

THIS IS WHERE I HOPE SOME GOOD OLD FASHION AMERICAN BORN AND LEGAL IMMIGRANTS SUE!!!

THEY AREN'T GETTING THE CARE THEY NEED BECAUSE ITS GOING EVERY WHERE BUT WHERE IT SHOULD.

This is the important news.

Some political experts say facing financial ruin might bring about some much-needed reforms. Already calls for a constitutional convention, which could rework the state's unworkable budget process, are growing louder.