Government Spending

ARTICLE: Pension Warning From Source

tgaul — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:53:20 -0700

This article, published by the Orange County Register, explains how CalPERS' top actuary has warned that a large group of state employee pensions are completely unsustainable and are driving California's debt. The California Foundation for Fiscal Responsibility recently published a database that shows more than 5,100 Retirees that receive more than $100,000. Clearly something must be done to change the pension system.

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ARTICLE: Governor Suggests Major Pension Reform

jmonma — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:51:26 -0700

As the new budget goes into effect, California's future financial health remains in question. Thus, as a next step, the governor has called for large-scale reform of state pensions that cost the state several billions of dollars. As this article on WKTB.com discusses, this step is controversial but may be necessary to secure the state's financial future.

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ARTICLE: Governor Makes More Spending Cuts and Signs Bugdet Deal

tgaul — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 13:40:46 -0700

The LA Times reports that Governor Schwarzenegger has signed the budget plan after making several more cuts to state spending. These cuts were made in attempt to make up the $1.1 billion that were left unaccounted for in the proposed budget deal. Officials remain dubious that this will truly bring California out of debt.

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ARTICLE: Prop. 13 Still Sparks Praise

tgaul — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 21:33:56 -0700

As this article in the Sacramento Bee explains, UCLA Chancellor Charles Young is filing suit against Proposition 13. However, this suit is not the first of its kind. Throughout the proposition’s history there have always been special interest groups who have tried to bring it down. However, Proposition 13 has maintained a high level of popularity in the polls and all of the lawsuits like Chancellor Young's have failed.

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ARTICLE: Senate Works Through the Night to Establish Budget

tgaul — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 15:47:34 -0700

This article in the Sacramento Bee describes the "grueling," all-night process through which legislators finally established a budget plan. It explains how issues like oil drilling off of the Santa Barbara coast and cuts to student aid were heatedly debated and why they eventually were passed.

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ARTICLE: Legislature Reaches Budget Agreement

tgaul — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 11:21:28 -0700

California Legislature passed the budget solution after deliberating late into the night. The solution draws 60% of its funds from cuts to state services like education, state parks and prisons; the rest it draws from the treasuries of local governments. As this article in the Daily Camera reports, the new budget is likely to see significant opposition though it does not increase taxes.

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ARTICLE: Budget Solution Likely to Crumble

tgaul — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:42:06 -0700

As this article in the Sacramento Bee shows, the Governor’s proposed budget solution is likely to fail on many fronts. It over-estimates state revenue, takes too much money from county treasuries and spends more money than it has. Though taxpayers appreciate a solution that doesn’t include tax increases, we also want a solution that works.

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ARTICLE: Legislature Set to Vote on Budget Plan

tgaul — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:47:26 -0700

Though legislators have reached an agreement on a plan to solve the budget crisis, the proposal will have to pass a final legislative vote to be approved. This budget plan includes $15 Billion in spending cuts and an approval to begin oil drilling off the coast of Santa Barbara. As this article in the San Francisco Chronicle reports, the legislature will vote on Thursday to approve or deny the plan.

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ARTICLE: Budget Accord Reached

tgaul — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:46:36 -0700

As of Monday evening, Governor Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders seem to have reached an agreement on the budget. In a victory for California taxpayers, it looks like this budget will not include any significant tax increase. However, it will include massive cuts to state spending, education, healthcare and the state correctional system. This article in the Los Angeles Times tells the full story.

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ARTICLE: Palo Alto Cuts Prevailing Wage and Balances Its Budget

tgaul — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:43:36 -0700

This article on MercuryNews.com suggests that California should follow Palo Alto’s method of solving a budget crisis: removing costly and unnecessary laws. By cutting laws like prevailing wage, Palo Alto has saved millions without raising taxes or cutting social services.

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