State - Amador County agencies and interest groups are up in arms over Governor Schwarzenegger’s controversial plans to cut, borrow and sell in order to help solve California’s budget crisis. After the state’s proposed budget solutions were roundly rejected by voters in the May 19th Special Election, Governor Schwarzenegger vowed to take all steps necessary in order to make the budget solvent. State park officials released last week predictions that Schwarzenegger's plan would take more than $213 million away from state parks over the next two fiscal years. In other words, 80 percent, or 220 of 279 parks would be shut down as early as this fall. In our region, this includes Sutter’s Fort, Indian Grinding Rock, Columbia State Park and Calaveras Big Trees Park. Previously announced reductions include another $680 million less for schools, further cuts for in-home care and children’s health programs, and a 5 percent cut for some 235,000 state workers. Schwarzenegger also plans to cut welfare programs all together, effectively returning billions of federal dollars, but faces attacks from Democrats and Republicans who say the plan is too severe. California’s non-partisan Legislative Analyst has suggested that the state could borrow $500 million from water and wastewater agencies – possibly as much as 100% of the agencies’ property tax revenues. When that would happen is unclear. According to a recent report by the California Budget Project, or CBP, 430 Amador County children would lose health coverage under Governor Schwarzenegger's proposal to eliminate the state's Healthy Families Program. That affects 942,000 children statewide who would have been covered through June, 2010. The CBP also predicts 730 children would lose health coverage under the Governor's proposed elimination. Amador County would lose approximately $393,000 in state and federal funding for children and families in 2009-10. Calaveras County would lose approximately $671,000. While many of the governor's plans won't go fully into effect, the net result is likely to be painful cuts, increasing unemployment and the loss of high profile amenities like parks, camping grounds and even perhaps libraries. Currently, Schwarzenegger and lawmakers are dealing with an estimated $24.3 billion deficit. For more information on proposed state park closures, visit the website on your screen. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tuesday, 02 June 2009 00:17
State Proposes Big Cuts
State - Amador County agencies and interest groups are up in arms over Governor Schwarzenegger’s controversial plans to cut, borrow and sell in order to help solve California’s budget crisis. After the state’s proposed budget solutions were roundly rejected by voters in the May 19th Special Election, Governor Schwarzenegger vowed to take all steps necessary in order to make the budget solvent. State park officials released last week predictions that Schwarzenegger's plan would take more than $213 million away from state parks over the next two fiscal years. In other words, 80 percent, or 220 of 279 parks would be shut down as early as this fall. In our region, this includes Sutter’s Fort, Indian Grinding Rock, Columbia State Park and Calaveras Big Trees Park. Previously announced reductions include another $680 million less for schools, further cuts for in-home care and children’s health programs, and a 5 percent cut for some 235,000 state workers. Schwarzenegger also plans to cut welfare programs all together, effectively returning billions of federal dollars, but faces attacks from Democrats and Republicans who say the plan is too severe. California’s non-partisan Legislative Analyst has suggested that the state could borrow $500 million from water and wastewater agencies – possibly as much as 100% of the agencies’ property tax revenues. When that would happen is unclear. According to a recent report by the California Budget Project, or CBP, 430 Amador County children would lose health coverage under Governor Schwarzenegger's proposal to eliminate the state's Healthy Families Program. That affects 942,000 children statewide who would have been covered through June, 2010. The CBP also predicts 730 children would lose health coverage under the Governor's proposed elimination. Amador County would lose approximately $393,000 in state and federal funding for children and families in 2009-10. Calaveras County would lose approximately $671,000. While many of the governor's plans won't go fully into effect, the net result is likely to be painful cuts, increasing unemployment and the loss of high profile amenities like parks, camping grounds and even perhaps libraries. Currently, Schwarzenegger and lawmakers are dealing with an estimated $24.3 billion deficit. For more information on proposed state park closures, visit the website on your screen. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
