$4 to $5 billion given to illegals......pay no attention to that...nothing to see here....yea that's the ticket...
Posted on 06/06/2009 10:04:47 AM PDT by SmithL
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Friday disputed claims that illegal immigrants caused California's $24.3 billion deficit, while he praised their economic contributions and said he is "happy" they have access to services.
The Republican governor, answering wide-ranging questions from The Bee's editorial board and its readers, also vented about roadblocks to his authority posed by political foes and warned that government can't sustain the current level of "unbelievable benefits" for public-sector workers.
In response to dozens of questions from readers who say the state ought to wipe out the deficit by eliminating services for illegal immigrants, the governor said it is a "myth" that those immigrants are to blame.
He said the cost of services to illegal immigrants, which has been estimated at $4 billion to $5 billion annually, is a "small percentage" of the deficit California faces.
"Yes, it is something that ought to be dealt with, but the fact of the matter is, I think it's an easy scapegoat for people to point the finger and say, 'Our budget is out of whack because of illegal immigrants.' "
"It's not," he added. "Our budget is out of whack because we have self-inflicted wounds that the Legislature and this state has never really sat down and had the will to go and make the necessary changes that have to be made."
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
$4 to $5 billion given to illegals......pay no attention to that...nothing to see here....yea that's the ticket...
Last I heard was that it costs the State of California $1 Billion a year for illegals. Getting rid of the them is a start. Not only that, we don’t want them here, regardless of what the politicians want.
Arnold is an idiot. Any fool knows the illegals cost more than they contribute to the state as far as money is concerned. Most of them do not pay taxes and are a drain on our services. This plus the fat salaries, pension and benefits paid to public employees are killing this state. I do not see how we can get out of this jam without some revisions to the way the state does business. Without changes this budget problem is going to happen next year only the deficit will be larger.
Arnold sucks a$$ more and more with each passing day.
Can we un-recall Gray Davis? (just kidding about that question)
Yep. 5 or 6 years of the costs of illegal aliens would completely cover the budget shortfalls, even with the out-of-control spending of the legislators. Boot them out now and (mathematically) we can recover in about 11 years.
Let’s not forget that they’re pulling down federal dollars as well. Section 8 subsidized rent, Medicaid, SCHIP, food stamps and WIC. it’s a gold mine. For them. I was suspicious of Arnold from the beginning. sd
Ahnul needs to go back to Austria where they speak Austrian.
I really like your idea!
$5 Billion of 20-25 Billion eauates to 20-25% of the deficite this year... that’s not a “SMALL PERCENTAGE” when you figure in they’ve been spending that per year every year for years on end, that a huge amount of $$$ being burned and gigantic opportunity costs wasted over time.
California is reaping what it has sowed for the past several decades. You have to pay the piper sooner or later.
Arnold had better check his math again. It’s at least $10 Billion.
http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/immigrationnaturalizatio/a/caillegals.htm
I actually blame it on illegals AND liberals. Equally culpable.
He lies. I worked with someone who once worked in social services with the State of California and she told me that when a person requested financial aid and food stamps, the person was immediately approved. California doesn’t verify citizenship, they just give away money like it was Hallowe’en candy.
11 percent unemployment
3 million illegals
$24 billion budget deficit
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/06/06/state/n102024D50.DTL&type=politics
(06-06) 10:20 PDT Sacramento, Calif. (AP) —
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says he’s “happy” illegal immigrants get state services and says they’re not to blame for California’s $24.3 billion budget gap.
Ok, increase actors tax to 110% and let them foot the bills, they will be so happy!
Bingo!
BTTT
Most definately a girly man ping!
Arnold, you should have stayed in the movies.
Hogwash, add the cost of schooling, crime, and welfare for 'anchor' babies and this cost skyrockets.
Good God can’t we deport Arnold back to Austria?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.