State – The California Legislature voted to abolish the California Integrated Waste Management Board Friday as one of many efforts to help close California’s $26 billion budget deficit. The bill was carried in the assembly by 10th District Assemblywoman Alyson Huber, who said “I don’t think this bill goes far enough…it is a good beginning.” California has the largest bureaucracy of any state in the union, with over 1,000 boards and commissions. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger projected that the elimination of the board’s five members will save up to $3 million annually, but it doesn’t help immediate budget issues because the board is funded through fees, not taxes. Democratic lawmakers, who traditionally make up the majority of the 20-year-old board, have argued that its elimination will squash a valuable layer of public oversight on environmental regulations. Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro, a former ten-year board member, called it the state’s most successful environmental program. Also on the chopping block were a number of other smaller boards and commissions. Schwarzenegger sees Friday’s vote as a minor victory in his efforts to make structural changes in California government. The Department of Conservation will take over the board’s primary duties and 450 employees. Huber also authored legislation ABx4 20 which eliminates or consolidates a number of other boards. That bill is still awaiting legislative approval. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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State – The California Legislature voted to abolish the California Integrated Waste Management Board Friday as one of many efforts to help close California’s $26 billion budget deficit. The bill was carried in the assembly by 10th District Assemblywoman Alyson Huber, who said “I don’t think this bill goes far enough…it is a good beginning.” California has the largest bureaucracy of any state in the union, with over 1,000 boards and commissions. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger projected that the elimination of the board’s five members will save up to $3 million annually, but it doesn’t help immediate budget issues because the board is funded through fees, not taxes. Democratic lawmakers, who traditionally make up the majority of the 20-year-old board, have argued that its elimination will squash a valuable layer of public oversight on environmental regulations. Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro, a former ten-year board member, called it the state’s most successful environmental program. Also on the chopping block were a number of other smaller boards and commissions. Schwarzenegger sees Friday’s vote as a minor victory in his efforts to make structural changes in California government. The Department of Conservation will take over the board’s primary duties and 450 employees. Huber also authored legislation ABx4 20 which eliminates or consolidates a number of other boards. That bill is still awaiting legislative approval. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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