Tuesday

California is about to crash and burn (budgetarily)

California to begin layoffs proceedings today

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – After a frustrating holiday weekend that failed to yield the one vote needed to end California's budget stalemate, the state is poised to begin layoff proceedings Tuesday for 20,000 government workers.

In addition to the layoffs, the state also plans to halt all remaining public works projects, potentially putting thousands of construction workers out of jobs.

"We are dealing with a catastrophe of unbelievable proportions," said state Sen. Alan Lowenthal, a Democrat from Long Beach and chairman of the Senate transportation committee.

Senate leader Darrell Steinberg announced late Monday that lawmakers had failed to find the final vote in his chamber as Republicans refused to support tax increases. He called a session for Tuesday and said he would put the tax provisions of the budget proposal up for a vote, even if they would not pass.
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GR4U - Is it just me, or is there no discussion herein of CUTTING SPENDING? WTF! Is raising taxes the ONLY possible solution that occurs to these morons?

4 comments:

MikeH. said...

I think it goes far beyond "only" increased taxes; such as the ever decreasing representation and, the continuing restrictions placed on long held freedoms for those who are forced to pick up the tab.

Shy Wolf said...

As goes California, so goes the Nation. Chilling thought. Of course, raising taxes is the only option: none of the legislators would want to take the chance of putting their job in jeopardy.
Shy

Michael Dukes said...

Typical Politician. Framing everything in the light of having a 'revenue problem' instead of an 'expenditure problem'.

A tax hike is the only solution they feel is going to work. Spending cuts? Forget about it!

Just one more reason BHO has continued to push for speed on the "Porkulus" package. There are tens of billions of dollars in the package for CA. It's the only way they are going to cover their shortfall.

Anonymous said...

All local, state and the federal government have something called the "Comprehensive Annual Financial Report". They are required to file this every year. The budget that they tell the public about shows only revenue from taxes and costs (expenses). When you or I balance our checking account, we carry over the balance to the next period. The government does not do that! They have "investments" which only show up in the CAFR! From what I understand, California's latest CAFR shows a surplus of over $58 billion dollars!!!!