Posted on 02/19/2008 8:07:33 AM PST by SmithL
California's Legislature has done such a fine job of creating diminished expectations that the emergency budget cuts it approved Friday actually resembled responsible governance.
Lawmakers had to act. If they hadn't, the state was in danger of running out of money in this fiscal year. Thus the Assembly and Senate approved $1 billion in spending cuts and payment deferrals to ensure the state remained solvent through July.
There was great gnashing of teeth in the Senate Friday as lawmakers mulled the options. Some Republicans sounded like Democrats, decrying cuts to schools and Medi-Cal providers.
Sen. Sheila Kuehl won the contest for best retort of the day, pointing out it was ludicrous for GOP lawmakers to decry such cuts when refusing to discuss new revenues.
Still, there was good reason to emote. These cuts are severe and will hurt many Californians already struggling with the economic downturn. There will be fewer funds for disabled seniors. Some school districts will see less funding than they budgeted for. Ditto for transit districts and various local agencies. And starting in the next fiscal year, there will be 10 percent less money – $544 million – to reimburse doctors who treat Medi-Cal patients.
Despite such tough calls, the Legislature's overall approach was hardly a profile in courage.
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
Oh, if Dobie had only taken one for the team, . . .
It took a century and a half to build California, and less than one generation of lousy politicians and entitlement-minded citizens to squander it.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
“Sen. Sheila Kuehl won the contest for best retort of the day, pointing out it was ludicrous for GOP lawmakers to decry such cuts when refusing to discuss new revenues.”
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How many “new revenues” can the California Legislature possibly create without driving more hard-working, ambitious people out of the state? But I will admit that any RINO who whines about budget-cuts in the state of California deserves to be mocked 24/7.
Why don’t they just cut pay by 25-30%, starting with the Legislature?
I just saw her picture on the web. I can see why Dobie wouldn’t have touched that with an 11 foot pole!!
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