California 9/11 Fund Raided for Deficits (Governor Brown Perpetrates Legalized Embezzlement)

AP Exclusive ^ | May 30, 2012 | HANNAH DREIER

[DogByte6RER]

AP Exclusive: Calif. 9/11 fund raided for deficits

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — After the 2001 terrorist attacks, California lawmakers sought a way to channel the patriotic fervor and use it to help victims' families and law enforcement. Their answer: Specialty memorial license plates emblazoned with the words, "We Will Never Forget."

Part of the money raised through the sale of the plates was to fund scholarships for children of California residents who perished in the attacks, while the majority — 85 percent — was to help fund anti-terrorism efforts.

But a review by The Associated Press of the $15 million collected since lawmakers approved the "California Memorial Scholarship Program" shows only a small fraction of the money went to scholarships. While 40 percent has funded anti-terror training programs, $3 million was raided by Gov. Jerry Brown and his predecessor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, to plug the state's budget deficit.

Millions more have been spent on budget items with little relation to direct threats of terrorism, including livestock diseases and workplace safety.

Moreover, the California Department of Motor Vehicles has been advertising the plates as helping the children of Sept. 11 victims, even though the state stopped funding the scholarship program seven years ago. The specialty plate fund continues to take in $1.5 million a year.

Californians who lost loved ones in the attacks take the raid on the license plate fund as an affront to the memory of those who died.

"I can't believe that they would do that," said Candyce Hoglan, who lives in the San Francisco Bay area and bought a plate to commemorate her nephew, Mark Bingham. "We're paying extra for the plate; we're making a point, and it means a lot to us."

[DogByte6RER]

In this April 21, 2012, photo, Candice Hoglan poses for a portrait with her vehicle with a license plate commemorating the events of Sept. 11, 2001, in Sunnyvale, Calif. Hoglan's nephew Mark Bingham was one of the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93, which was hijacked by terrorists on Sept. 11. After the 2001 terrorist attacks, California lawmakers sought a way to channel the patriotic fervor and use it to help victims' families and law enforcement. Their answer: specialty memorial license plates emblazoned with the words, “We Will Never Forget.” (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

[NormsRevenge]

SchwarzenKennedy and MoonBeam should face charges.

[The Sons of Liberty]

Like any Patriot, I am outraged, but on the other hand, Californians knew Gov Moonbeam was a snake when they elected him. It harkens back to the saying

"fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice shame on me"

so they only have themselves to blame. To make matters worse, does ANYONE expect them to make big changes and start cleaning up their house in November? So don't come whining to the rest of the 56 [sic] states when your crooked politicians screw you!

[Typelouder]

BTTT

[Cyber Liberty]

Yes, Moonbeam’s a scoundrel, no doubt about it, but he’s only 50% of the Governors who did this. The other 50% had been at it quite a bit longer.