Schwarzenegger cuts target schools, services, workers

To help end California's budget nightmare, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is proposing an additional $2.8 billion in cuts that will fall heavily on education and social services. He also wants to cut the pay of state workers under his authority by 5%.

If the governor prevails with the Legislature, the state would eliminate $680 million for K-12 education, stop paying for school buses and end in-home care for most recipients. Only the most severely disabled Californians would receive some state aide.

Schwarzenegger also foresees saving $100 million by suspending certain state rules, such the numbers of days animal shelters are required to keep strays alive.

Here are the numbers.

Earlier this week, the governor unveiled other budget cuts that would close up to 220 state parks and other attractions that draw millions of visitors.

Schwarzenegger is opposing further tax increases. He and lawmakers raised taxes and fees by $12 billion in the budget approved in February. California voters rejected a range of tax increases and funding cuts in a special election May 19.

The state's budget hole is expected to grow to $24.3 billion through June 2010.

Read more from the Sacramento Bee and San Francisco Chronicle.

Posted at 05:06 PM/ET, May 29, 2009 in Economy, Education
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