Dec 05 2008
California’s Budget Deficit is Only Third in the Nation
The figure of $28 billion seems like a rather large one. However, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, that figure makes
California number three on the list of states with huge budget deficits.
Arizona’s deficit is projected to be 24.2%, and makes them number one.
New York’s deficit is at 20% and that makes them number two.
California is only 18% in the hole – which makes us third. The same report says that overall the states face approximately $98 billion in deficit for the coming year.
California makes up nearly a third of that total.And everyone only expects the situation to get worse. Except the Legislature seems not to mind. They gave their staff pay raises. Compared to the size of the state’s revenue shortfall, the pay raises that lawmakers granted to more than 200 staff members this year don’t amount to a significant amount. However, this seems to indicate the Legislature is out-of-touch with the real world and what people are struggling with. In a time when some people cannot find jobs, giving large raises speaks to how insulated lawmakers are in
Sacramento. They don’t have to live in the real world, and are in no danger of losing their job. Why should they care about anyone else?
This attitude seems to carry over to the way they are approaching the budget. We are almost a week past swearing in and the calling of a special session. That is one week into the 45 days they are allotted to take care of the budget crisis for the current year (to say nothing of the next fiscal year). And what have they done? Appointed leadership positions, chairmanships and vice-chairs, moved offices, hired staff, had parties and fundraisers….and passed resolutions that don’t jive with the will of the people as expressed on Election Day. Nothing with the budget. Not a thing.
These people wanted this position – knowing the tough choices they were going to have to make. But they wanted the position – and some of them put out a lot of effort to get the position.
So what do you think of their job performance so far?
I think it stinks.
