California Budget – Governor Arnold Schwarzeneggar on Friday called for eliminating Calirfornia’s welfare to work” program. The program marks one of the deepest cuts in the state’s budget. The state is reportedly trying to fix a $19 billion budget deficit for the upcoming fiscal year. California has been facing a number of fiscal problems over the course of the last few years, and has been unable to right the ship that took a sudden turn just days ago.
In releasing the revised budget plan, the Republican governor said that slashing the welfare program would eventually affect nearly 1.5 million people, with two thirds of them being children. In his revised budget plan, it appears that he will be making some of the most severe cuts in the health and welfare programs. The state tumbled into a recession several years ago, and has not been able to pull itself out.
We now have to use the ax to eliminate some of those programs,” he said to the crowd. The revised budget plans will begin in July. The state is currently sitting at a 12.6 unemployment rate, one of the highest in the nation. They are also bringing in a much lower amount of tax revenue than other states that can be compared in size.
We are left with nothing but tough choices, as you can see,” said Schwarzenegger, who appeared somber and at times frustrated in presenting his updated budget plan.