The California Budget: A Brief Update
The California budget is now law. Here is the summary breakdown:
Source: http://gov.ca.gov/inde x.php?/fact-sheet/12885/, retrieved 7/27/2009 :
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The Budget Solution: Solving the Entire Problem
Solving the Entire Problem
The Governor Stood Firm, Refusing to Kick the Can Down the Road
This budget solution includes $15.9 billion in spending reductions, which on top of the $15 billion made in February amounts to approximately $30 billion dollars - roughly a third of our entire state budget. While there are some one-time solutions in the budget agreement, the Governor fought to minimize those one-time moves, and also to stave off the alternative of higher taxes. There are no tax increases in this budget agreement. Below is the math of how the Governor and legislative leaders agreed to solve the $24.1 billion|i| deficit.[I]......(More available on the Governor's Website)
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As I have worked to understand the profound implication of the budget, it is frankly scary. One indication was what happened to the City of Laguna Beach. The City Manager, Ken Frank, reported that the State took 3 Million Dollars from the City. That amounted to $ 120 per each Laguna Beach Residen. This is as brutal as it gets for the budget. It is bound to get worst.
What must be realized is that when there is no money, tough choices do have to be made. The only major concern is Education, though. With all the spending that the State of California spends on education, it is still 50th in the Nation in terms of Educational Standards. Schools are in an abysmal state. The need to be able to figure out how to actually have a 21st Century Educational System is crucial to the long term viability of this state. Will California regain its' luster as the "Golden State"? I wonder!!!
Source: http://gov.ca.gov/inde x.php?/fact-sheet/12885/, retrieved 7/27/2009 :
----------------------------- ----------------------------- ----------------------------- --------------------------
The Budget Solution: Solving the Entire Problem
Solving the Entire Problem
The Governor Stood Firm, Refusing to Kick the Can Down the Road
This budget solution includes $15.9 billion in spending reductions, which on top of the $15 billion made in February amounts to approximately $30 billion dollars - roughly a third of our entire state budget. While there are some one-time solutions in the budget agreement, the Governor fought to minimize those one-time moves, and also to stave off the alternative of higher taxes. There are no tax increases in this budget agreement. Below is the math of how the Governor and legislative leaders agreed to solve the $24.1 billion|i| deficit.[I]......(More available on the Governor's Website)
As I have worked to understand the profound implication of the budget, it is frankly scary. One indication was what happened to the City of Laguna Beach. The City Manager, Ken Frank, reported that the State took 3 Million Dollars from the City. That amounted to $ 120 per each Laguna Beach Residen. This is as brutal as it gets for the budget. It is bound to get worst.
What must be realized is that when there is no money, tough choices do have to be made. The only major concern is Education, though. With all the spending that the State of California spends on education, it is still 50th in the Nation in terms of Educational Standards. Schools are in an abysmal state. The need to be able to figure out how to actually have a 21st Century Educational System is crucial to the long term viability of this state. Will California regain its' luster as the "Golden State"? I wonder!!!
Mike Pouraryan
