Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is scheduled to return to Sacramento on Wednesday in time for a budget meeting with legislative leaders. Schwarzenegger skipped out on Tuesday's election to be at the White House today for President Obama's announcement on fuel efficiency standards. But the governor's office reported that Schwarzenegger will be able to make a Wednesday afternoon meeting with legislative leaders.
It should be an interesting meeting following today's special election referendum on the budget package the Legislature passed in February.
The Sacramento Bee reports that Senate and Assembly leaders will announce that a joint budget committee will convene Thursday to decide the next step of the state's worsening fiscal crisis.
The governor's latest proposal is beginning to take shape, according to The Sac Bee. He wants another $9 billion in spending cuts, with $5.4 billion of that coming from education. The governor would lay off 5,000 state workers and borrow $7.5 billion from local governments. There wouldn't be tax increases, but there would be some increases in fees. Schwarzenegger also would raise $100 million by allowing oil companies to drill off the Santa Barbara coast. He would sell off state property, inclduign San Quentin Prison and Cal Expo.
Maybe at these meetings they can figure out how they are going to borrow $7.5 billion from local governments when they are just as bad or worse off than the State. All this tells me is they are still in denial about how bad off we really are.
Kim,
I just want to say how nice it is to hear from someone who seems to understand what's really going on. I am so sick and tired of everyone complaining about what's going to get hurt. I have 3 kids ( 2 of them in school), I am disabled ( I have a brain tumor), and I have a mother with mental health problems that I take care of. I know by voting no on these it will make things harder for me, but I also believe its temp.
I'm willing to take that chane to show this state that they can't keep hiding behind people like me. If I have to home school my kids and move in with family members than that's what I'm willing to do. I voted today at 7 am when they opened -- no no no no no no. Thanks for being a great voice.
Meaghans...I find your post refreshing and inspiring as it shows there are some Californians that are looking inward rather than to the govt.for help.God Bless you.
meaghans:First I want to commend your attitude and spirit. However I think most of us would have no problem helping you. You have a legitimate need. There are though a lot of people out there taking advantage of these systems and we need to get them off and those that should not be receiving benefits in the first place. As one recent letter writer put it,
I have no problem helping the helpless, but I do object to helping the clueless.