Tuesday, May 26, 2009

More Cuts for California

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090527/ap_on_re_us/us_california_budget

begin quote:
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tuesday proposed eliminating welfare for 500,000 families and terminating health coverage for nearly 1 million children to help close the state's ballooning budget deficit.

The Republican governor's administration released details of $5.5 billion in cuts, a week after state voters defeated special election ballot measures. The new proposals are on top of those previously announced by Schwarzenegger.

Also among the cuts are stops to college fee assistance for thousands of students, fewer vocational training opportunities for state inmates and the elimination of $70 million in funds for the state park system.

The state is trying to close a $21 billion deficit, although the Schwarzenegger administration said Tuesday that its proposed budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year was outdated. The governor's finance team said the deficit now was projected to grow to $24.3 billion through June 2010.
end quote.

Whether this can be done without throwing the state into Chaos or not I don't know. I'm sure it will throw the 500,000 families out of their homes and apartments out on the street, however, that will lose their welfare monthly payments. In this sense this is really bad for the 500,000 families. Hopefully, it doesn't turn too many to crime out of panic and desperation not to be homeless and even more vulnerable than they already are.

Stops to College fee assistance for many might be the end for now of their dreams of college or just a reason for another part time job or a reason to ask grandparents or uncles or Aunts for a little financial assistance with college or even to look more closely for available scholarships.

As to the 70 million dollars taken out of the state parks system, likely that will mean there are less docents and rangers at every state park. It also might mean that state park lands would be more vulnerable to deer, raccoon, bear and mountain lion poachers and for young people who are arsonists and vandals .

However, the biggest problem is likely to be the 1/3 of the state inmates from prison that will likely be released into the general populace.

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