Free Republic

In 2002, actor Arnold Schwarzenegger created a ballot initiative for after-school programs that he used as a springboard to the governor's office the next year. Now, that measure is about to become a drain on the state treasury — and on schools. There's mounting pressure on the governor to delay his after-school program expansion — or dump it entirely. Critics say state government can't afford the $426-million cost. Sacramento still is writing checks in red ink. The governor has proposed spending $6.4 billion more than the state takes in during the fiscal year starting July 1, when he intends to...