Schwarzenegger's budget deals blows to the poor

LA Times ^ | 5/15/10 | Shane Goldmacher

[NormsRevenge]

Proposing a budget that would eliminate the state's welfare-to-work program and most child care for the poor, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Friday outlined a stark vision of a California that would sharply limit aid to some of its poorest and neediest citizens.

His $83.4-billion plan would also freeze funding for local schools, further cut state workers' pay and take away 60% of state money for local mental health programs. State parks and higher education are among the few areas the governor's proposal would spare.

The proposal, which would not raise taxes, also relies on $3.4 billion in help from Washington — roughly half of what the governor sought earlier this year — to help close a budget gap now estimated at $19.1 billion. Billions more would be saved through accounting moves and fund shifts.

"California no longer has low-hanging fruits," said Schwarzenegger at an afternoon news conference in Sacramento. "I now have no choice but to … call for elimination of some very important programs."

Elimination of CalWorks, the state's main welfare program, would affect 1.3 million people, including about 1 million children. The program, which requires recipients to eventually have jobs, gives families an average $500 a month. Ending those payments would save the state $1.6 billion, the administration said. It would also make California the only state not to offer a welfare-to-work program for low-income families with children.

Lawmakers rejected previous attempts by the governor to eliminate the program.

[dragnet2]

One thing about the the Internet Norm.

It makes a great witness.

Beer summit?

I haven't' had a beer in a long time, but it does sound good.

Any beer summit I attend, I will insist regular, non-wealthy, private sector citizens be in attendance and are permitted unrehearsed legitimate voices.

Enough of this government bullshit.

What we witness on a daily basis, is no surprise.

We were warned, repeatably by our founding Father about bloated government taking total control. Punitive? Controlling? Restrictive? It's what our government has become......This needs to change for the benefit of everyone.

We either change it, or we'll find America murdered in the street. Act not?

Continued to get sucked into liars and government professional schemes?

Stupidity is costly.

Americans will be working till their 83 years old and more...You'll do what you're told...You fail to submit Mr. Norm, you'll pay in penalties, fines and or assessments against you....

[NormsRevenge]

can’t take it with ya.. even in this ‘ cradle to grave’ age.

fwiw.. I’m a lot closer to 83 than I like to admit.. gulp..

[dragnet2]

can’t take it with ya.. even in this ‘ cradle to grave’ age.

fwiw.. I’m a lot closer to 83 than I like to admit.. gulp..

Once again, I'll be honest with ya Norm....I don't give damn if your 102 years old...Don't mean nothing to me, cept your an old guy. So what?

[NormsRevenge]

don’t mean nothing..

hrrmmmph

[dragnet2]

don’t mean nothing..

Lol.....

Can I be honest again?

I know many, some in their 45's and 55's that know what's up...But many over 65 or 70's have not a clue.

[Blue Collar Christian]

If “the State” everywhere quit “helping” the poor, then all the goo dooder liberals will have a chance to help the poor themselves (like, with their OWN money) and save the world.

That’ll show me.

[Freedom_Is_Not_Free]

Surely you are joking about thinking welfare recipients are responsible enough to not have children they can't support. You get more of what you subsidize. The more kids you make the more you get from CalWorks, so of course they are going to keep making them, and every one with a different last name. Lakeesha Washington. DeShaun Jefferson. LeWayne White. Latifa Mohammad. On and on.

Octomom

[GatorGirl]

If we didn’t subsidize illegitimacy people would find a way to avoid foisting their responsibilities upon society.

Who else gets a raise for every child they have except welfare recipients?

[investigateworld]

LOL ! (he’s just resting ;^)

[Churchillspirit]

Cutting money that goes to illegals would seem to be a win/win situation.

Saves the state money and encourages them to go back where they came from.

[dalereed]

The poor don’t pay anything in so they shouldn’t get anything out!!!

[Kellis91789]

No, not joking. Women on welfare should have to get a contraceptive implant after the FIRST child and have it checked and maintained monthly until five years after they stop receiving welfare.

[bigheadfred]

(he’s just resting)

(she's just resting) By the weirdest coincindence, she uses the alias "The Bean Child" for her taste for refried beans. How she acquired a taste for those I just don't know...