spending
Tuesday’s special election isn’t only about the ballot measures aimed at bailing the state out of its financial troubles and annual budget battles. Two Bay Area cities and one school district are also begging voters for help in separate tax measures.
The Panetta Institute’s annual survey of U.S. college students was released a few days ago and it reported that for the most part, students are optimistic about where our country is headed, despite the continuing economic uncertainties. This year’s survey was in dramatic opposition to last year, where far more students thought things were going wrong. The students’ hopefulness, however, might have been tempered if the Cal State Monterey Bay team conducting the survey had reframed the questions toward California issues.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is facing yet another moment of truth.
Having barely squeaked through a last-minute budget deal in February to close a $42 billion deficit, he now faces a May 19 special election with six ballot measures intended to fix the state’s dysfunctional budget process for good.
California’s Superintendant of Schools said Wednesday that he may sue the state for more funding if a ballot measure fails on May 19. Proposition 1B, part of a package of measures dealing with the state’s budget crisis, would give over $9 billion in funding for schools. The funds would be created by Proposition 1A, but both measures must pass for schools to get the money.
OLYMPIA, Wash. — As lawmakers chop their way out of an estimated $8 billion budget deficit, voices in the Democratic majority’s political base are crying out for higher taxes to save favorite state services.
So where’s the money? One place to look is the so-called “shopping list,” a state Revenue Department compilation of possible sources of additional money for the state.
Last week Citizens In Charge Foundation asked citizens “Do you support the recent spending measures?” The poll was in response to the incredible amount of buzz created by CNBC’s Rick Santelli.
On national television the journalist stated “the government is promoting bad behavior” with the bailouts and proporosed a national referendum on the spending measures.
The results are quite astonishing. You can check them out here.
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With a primary election three months away, campaign politics flared Tuesday at Scranton City Council. Unhappy speakers took shots at the lawmakers running for re-election, then lawmakers took shots at each other.
Council bickered as it chose not to endorse changes to state law sought by state Rep. Kevin Murphy, D113, Scranton. The plan would alter state home-rule charter law to require a voter referendum for “excessive” tax increases by Lackawanna County. It would not directly affect the city.
By now, most Americans have seen or heard of CNBC’s Rick Santelli and his on-air outburst stating “the government is promoting bad behavior” with the bailouts. (READ MORE) Even President Obama’s Press Secretary, Robert Gibbs, invited the CNBC editor to a “decaf” coffee to discuss the issue.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger this morning is planning to sign the budget package passed by lawmakers that ended the state’s slide toward insolvency and three months of Capitol gridlock.
The spending plan wipes out a nearly $42-billion projected deficit with tax hikes, deep program cuts and borrowing. It hinges on $5.8 billion contained in several ballot measures that voters must consider May 19 in a special election….(READ MORE)
Mayor Melody A. Currey released a budget proposal Thursday that would cut spending by $5.3 million, against the backdrop of what she called “the worst economy since the Great Depression.”
The proposed 2009-10 budget of about $151.4 million also would not raise taxes, keeping the tax rate at 31.67 mills.