Thread: California on Its Way to Being Destroyed----Forever

Schwarzenegger declares fiscal emergency
$14.5 billion gap prompts Calif. governor to push cuts to schools, jails, parks

Associated Press
updated 8:15 p.m. ET, Thurs., Jan. 10, 2008

"SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a fiscal emergency in California on Thursday and released a state budget proposal that would close an estimated $14.5 billion gap by cutting education funds, releasing inmates and closing dozens of state parks.

The emergency declaration forces lawmakers to vote on many of the cuts within 45 days, instead of waiting until the new budget year begins July 1. If they take no action, they cannot address other state business.

The $141 billion plan would give schools 10 percent less money, release 22,000 inmates and shut 48 state parks. Cuts or freezes in funding for children of welfare recipients and elderly, blind or disabled people also are in the plan."

This is a budget that doesn't please everybody, I know that for sure," Schwarzenegger said. "But the bottom line is I think this is the fairest way to go."

California faces a $3.3 billion deficit for the current fiscal year if no action is taken and projects an $11.2 billion shortfall next year.

Economists have long advocated measures to control spending as a way to bring California's revenue and expenditures in line — unless the Republican governor reneges on his promise not to increase taxes. Major cuts to education and social programs, however, will be difficult if not impossible in the Democrat-controlled Legislature.

$4 billion cut for education
State agencies and programs would be cut by 10 percent. Education would lose more than $4 billion, cuts that would require the Legislature to suspend provisions of a voter-approved initiative that guarantees a minimum funding level for schools.

That proposal drew immediate criticism from Democrats and educators. A group of parents also demonstrated outside the governor's press conference, holding signs and chanting that the state must protect its children.

"The governor's budget takes a giant step backwards," state Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell said in a statement. "Our state shouldn't punish our children for its grown-ups' mistakes."

Cuts to the prison system would come through the early release of inmates determined to be "low risk" who have less than 20 months remaining on their sentences. Only prisoners serving sentences on nonviolent, non-sex-offender crimes would be eligible.

He also proposed eliminating active supervision of 18,522 parolees and making it far more difficult to return lawbreakers to prison. In all, the cuts and weakened parole policy were expected to reduce the state's prison population by 35,000 in the next two years.

Prisons proposal angers Republicans
Republican lawmakers have been critical of any attempt to release inmates early and reacted angrily.

"The governor is unequivocally proposing to jeopardize public safety to balance his budget, when he's always said he would never do that," said Assemblyman Todd Spitzer, a Republican.

Schwarzenegger also will resubmit a proposal the Legislature rejected last year to cut benefits for the children of welfare recipients if their parents fail to get jobs. The state's medical coverage for the poor would be cut by $1 billion, mainly by eliminating dental coverage for more than 3 million.

The $14.5 billion shortfall rivals the one left by Schwarzenegger's predecessor, former Gov. Gray Davis. Schwarzenegger covered that gap with loans and other fixes, then glided on borrowing and an unexpected surge in state tax revenue, but now has far fewer options to bring the state's spending and revenue in line.

The cuts outlined by the governor are larger than what Democrats expected. They are pushing for a combination of cuts and tax increases.

"It's the governor's day of reckoning," said Steve Maviglio, spokesman for Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, a Democrat. "And it won't be pretty."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22598138/

FINALLY----someone points out that ILLEGALS are why California is being destroyed!!

The Bi-Lingual Education that Put CA in the Red

By OnTheWeb:
Mark Andrew Dwyer
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Canadian Free Press

"I was shocked by Gov. Schwarzenegger’s draconian proposal of “across the boardâ€

California does not provide free tuition to their National Guard------Yet, provides in-state tuition to the illegals!!!

DeVore bill ends illegal immigrant college subsidy costing $117 million a year

California Political Desk
January 12, 2008

BILL REPEALS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT TUITION BENEFIT WHILE PROVIDING FREE COLLEGE FOR CALIFORNIA NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS.

"Irvine, Calif. – In an effort to bolster membership and retention in the California National Guard, Assemblyman Chuck DeVore (R-Irvine) is proposing an education assistance program that would provide members of the Guard free tuition at state colleges and universities. Assembly Bill 1758: the California National Guard Tuition Assistance Bill was submitted to the Assembly this week.

Despite being the most called upon, California ranks last in the nation in education assistance for National Guard members. California is also the only state that does not provide free tuition to its Guard. In recent years, the Guard has been faced with retention and recruitment declines that experts blame on California’s lack of available benefits.

“California is way behind the ball on this issue,â€

Schwarzenegger declares fiscal emergency in Calif., proposes cuts to schools, prisons, parks

By: AARON C. DAVIS - Associated Press

"SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a fiscal emergency in California Thursday, and released a state budget proposal that would close an estimated $14 billion gap by cutting education funds, releasing inmates and closing dozens of state parks.

The emergency declaration forces lawmakers to vote on many of the cuts within 45 days, instead of waiting until the new budget year begins July 1. If they take no action, they cannot address other state business.

The $141 billion plan would give schools 10 percent less money, release 22,000 inmates and shut 48 state parks. Cuts or freezes in funding for children of welfare recipients and elderly, blind or disabled people also are in the plan.

"This is a budget that doesn't please everybody, I know that for sure," Schwarzenegger said. "But the bottom line is I think this is the fairest way to go."

California faces a $3.3 billion deficit for the current fiscal year if no action is taken, and projects an $11.2 billion shortfall next year.

Economists have long advocated measures to control spending as a way to bring California's revenue and expenditures in line -- unless the Republican governor reneges on his promise not to increase taxes. Major cuts to education and social programs, however, will be difficult if not impossible in the Democrat-controlled Legislature.

State agencies and programs would be cut by 10 percent. Education would lose more than $4 billion, cuts that would require the Legislature to suspend provisions of a voter-approved initiative that guarantees a minimum funding level for schools.

That proposal drew immediate criticism from Democrats and educators. A group of parents also demonstrated outside the governor's press conference, holding signs and chanting that the state must protect its children.

"The governor's budget takes a giant step backwards," state Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell said in a statement. "Our state shouldn't punish our children for its grown-ups' mistakes."

Cuts to the prison system would come through the early release of inmates determined to be "low risk" who have less than 20 months remaining on their sentences. Only prisoners serving sentences on nonviolent, non-sex-offender crimes would be eligible.

He also proposed eliminating active supervision of 18,522 parolees and making it far more difficult to return lawbreakers to prison. In all, the cuts and weakened parole policy were expected to reduce the state's prison population by 35,000 in the next two years.

Republican lawmakers have been critical of any attempt to release inmates early and reacted angrily.

"The governor is unequivocally proposing to jeopardize public safety to balance his budget, when he's always said he would never do that," said Assemblyman Todd Spitzer, a Republican.

Schwarzenegger also will resubmit a proposal the Legislature rejected last year to cut benefits for the children of welfare recipients if their parents fail to get jobs. The state's medical coverage for the poor would be cut by $1 billion, mainly by eliminating dental coverage for more than 3 million.

The $14.5 billion shortfall rivals the one left by Schwarzenegger's predecessor, former Gov. Gray Davis. Schwarzenegger covered that gap with loans and other fixes, then glided on borrowing and an unexpected surge in state tax revenue, but now has far fewer options to bring the state's spending and revenue in line.

The cuts outlined by the governor are larger than what Democrats expected. They are pushing for a combination of cuts and tax increases.

"It's the governor's day of reckoning," said Steve Maviglio, spokesman for Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, a Democrat. "And it won't be pretty."

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2008/01 ... _10_08.txt

Cedillo to press for licenses for illegal immigrants again

By Steve Geissinger, MediaNews
Article Last Updated: 01/11/2008 08:31:50 PM PST

"SACRAMENTO - Saying Friday's release of final regulations in the U.S. REAL ID Act clears the way, a Los Angeles Democrat said he will move ahead with a bill that would let illegal immigrants obtain driver's licenses.

State Sen. Gil Cedillo has previously proposed such legislation, but it has been vetoed repeatedly by Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has noted that federal officials have not yet adopted security standards to make licenses more tamper-proof.

Cedillo plans to use his bill, SB 60 - which has been parked on the Assembly floor since last year - to relaunch his effort.

But Schwarzenegger spokeswoman Sabrina Lockhart said comprehensive immigration reform could complicate Cedillo's effort.

"The governor has made it clear there are two concerns before moving ahead," Lockhart said.

Meanwhile, California Department of Motor Vehicles officials have cited security and cost concerns and have asked for a waiver from the new federal regulations until December 2009.

"We will be looking at the impact in order to make recommendations on what is in the best interest for California," said DMV spokesman Mike Marando.

"During this time, there will be no change for motorists."

Under the new federal regulations, photographs of drivers will be taken at the beginning of the application process instead of the end.

That is designed to ensure that if someone is rejected for failure to prove identity and citizenship, the applicant's photo would be kept on file and checked in the future if that person attempted to apply again.

Under the regulations, by 2014 nearly anyone seeking to board an airplane or enter a federal building will have to present a REAL ID-compliant driver's license.

The only exemption is for those over 50 years old. By 2017, even those over 50 would have to have a REAL ID-compliant card to board a plane."

http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_7947990

Notice how the governor plans on cutting benefits for the elderly, blind and handicapped, but NOT the illegals.

Also, keep in mind-----a lot of those prisoners being released will be heading to other states----as California has the 3-strikes you are out law!!!

HEY ARNIE! Get rid of the illegals! You'd be surprised how much money your state would have.

Sigh.

"But the bottom line is I think this is the fairest way to go."

Fairest to whom? Why not be fair to the citizens of California and stop pandering to the illegals who are using up most of California's resources.

And I am shocked that our governor would cut Medi-Cal in preference to reducing the illegal alien problem. People on Medi_Cal are desperate and need more help......not less.

Originally Posted by USA_born

"But the bottom line is I think this is the fairest way to go."

Fairest to whom? Why not be fair to the citizens of California and stop pandering to the illegals who are using up most of California's resources.

And I am shocked that our governor would cut Medi-Cal in preference to reducing the illegal alien problem. People on Medi_Cal are desperate and need more help......not less.

It is UNBELIEVABLE what he is letting happen to California!!

California citizens in LA need to make sure that Toilet Tony is not reelected mayor----as he then plans on running for governor!!! They need to start supporting Walter Moore----who has the best chance of beating him!!

Send anyone you know in LA this information about Walter Moore----his name needs to get out there----and he needs to beat Toilet Tony!!

http://web.mac.com/waltermoore/WalterMo ... /Home.html