by: Elizabeth Sedway, TahoeKidsGuide.com
This article supplemented by: California budget cuts-Budget Conf Hearings on State Park closures; California Budget Cuts-State Parks Discussed Today
On June 2nd, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the state's chief accountant, California State Controller, John Chiang, .jpg)
warned lawmakers that they have until June 15 to close the state's current $24 billion budget deficit. 'California's day of reckoning is here,' Mr. Schwarzenegger said in an unusual address before a joint legislative session. 'We have no time to waste.'
In a letter, dated May 29, 2009, addressed to the Governor, President Pro Tem of the the Senate, Darrell Steinberg, Speaker of the House, Karen Bass and others, Mr. Chiang called attention to the critical nature of the June 15th budget deadline:
Failure to immediately address the budget deficit and cash shortage will severely damage our already fragile fiscal position. A protracted stalemate would do immeasurable harm to our economy by potentially extending a recession that many economists predict will bottom out by early 2010. Inaction would create an even greater fiscal hardship for Californians, especially those businesses that provide goods to the State and those vulnerable individuals who depend on public health and social services. The ability of the State to discharge its most fundamental duties of protecting its citizens, educating its youth, and safeguarding its natural resources will be compromised.
If the California legislature does not have an approved budget by June 15th, the state will run out of cash by the end of July, according to Mr. Chiang. Without an approved budget, California will not be able to secure loans needed this summer. California must borrow money almost every summer because it pays out most of its funds in the first half of the fiscal year, from July to December, and receives most of its revenue in the second half of the year.
According to Mr. Chiang, these loans take about a month to acquire. He said banks would be unwilling to lend to a state government that doesn't have a balanced budget, especially during an economic crisis. 'If you or I went to the bank,' he said, 'without a plan to pay them back and asked for a loan, the bank would laugh at you.'
Also on June 2nd, Assembly Speaker Karen Bass told reporters that the legislature would likely need the rest of the month to close the entire deficit, but that lawmakers could pass a partial solution, by June 15th, that would allow the state to borrow the needed funds.
In his address Tuesday, Mr. Schwarzenegger acknowledged the severity of his budget proposals. He has proposed major cuts to education, health care and prisons, and has called for shutting down the 220 state parks and eliminating popular health-care programs. This week, the Budget Conference Committee has been hearing public testimony on these proposed cuts. To submit written testimony to the Budget Conference Committee, fax your Comment Card to: (916) 319-2199.
; The Tahoe Rim Trail: The Official Guide for Hikers, Mountain Bikers and Equestrians
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Comments
The California State Parks are important to retirees, bikers, surfers, hikers, famililes, children, future generations, abalone divers, divers, scuba divers, surfers, wind surfers, fishermen, campers, RVers...and so many more.
Say loud to Governor
Look for the following on the internet:
Save California State Parks from closure! - The Petition Site
and voice your non-approval of this suggestion today.
I would rather have my taxes hire than see these services lost. Besides the state deficit has so wrecked our states credit worthiness we tax payers will be paying for it anyway. Might as well come directly out of my pocket, in cash rather than going to some fat-cat as interest on a loan the state has to take!!!
I meant "higher" taxes. Don't want to be flamed for bad spelling.
With the threat of our state park closures, I was thinking, how many families decided to buy an RV in the last couple of years to help 'stimulate' the economy? How many families now have a monthly RV payment which at the time was OK because like so many, realize this is something they can do as a famiy that is affordable, go to any of our beautiful state parks and have a wonderful time and in the interim, help the local community when buying gas, food, etc. But now with this threat looming over all of us, may now have a RV sitting in their driveway and cannot take their family or RV out and yet contine to have those monthly payments but cannot fulfill their dreams of a vacation for their family. If this goes through, our Govenator is aptly called the Terminator. Slashing not only the budget but the joy, the hope of families all over California...how sad
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