Deep Cuts Proposed in New Budget

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Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected today to propose shutting 48 state parks — including some popular Southern California beaches — releasing far more prison inmates than previously projected and increasing car fees for the second straight year as part of his solution to the state’s fiscal crisis, the Los Angeles Times reports.


And 14 months after persuading voters to borrow $37 billion for public works improvements, his administration will propose roughly $40 billion in new borrowing for infrastructure needs related to schools, courts, water systems, higher education and high-speed rail.


The budget blueprint, shaping up as the harshest since Schwarzenegger was first elected in 2003, will include scores of spending reductions that would affect people across the state. School spending would be rolled back by about $3 billion. Welfare payments for tens of thousands of children whose families are considered to be at high risk for homelessness would be eliminated.


A cost-of-living increase for the elderly, blind and disabled receiving state assistance would be canceled, as would state-funded dental visits for the poor.


The cuts, described by officials familiar with the governor’s proposals, are so deep that some in the Capitol are already dismissing the plan as a ruse — an attempt to stir up so much public demand for a tax hike that the governor will ultimately be able to break his pledge not to take that route.


No multibillion-dollar tax increases are in the Schwarzenegger plan for now, the officials said. The proposal offers the governor’s vision of how to bring the budget into balance without new revenue.


It is certain to rattle voters.


Bolsa Chica, Will Rogers, San Clemente, Carlsbad and San Onofre state beaches would all be closed to visitors. Topanga and Mt. San Jacinto state parks would be shut down. Lifeguards and other seasonal staff would be laid off.


The budget blueprint, shaping up as the harshest since Schwarzenegger was first elected in 2003, will include scores of spending reductions that would affect people across the state. School spending would be rolled back by about $3 billion. Welfare payments for tens of thousands of children whose families are considered to be at high risk for homelessness would be eliminated.

A cost-of-living increase for the elderly, blind and disabled receiving state assistance would be canceled, as would state-funded dental visits for the poor.

The cuts, described by officials familiar with the governor’s proposals, are so deep that some in the Capitol are already dismissing the plan as a ruse — an attempt to stir up so much public demand for a tax hike that the governor will ultimately be able to break his pledge not to take that route.

No multibillion-dollar tax increases are in the Schwarzenegger plan for now, the officials said. The proposal offers the governor’s vision of how to bring the budget into balance without new revenue.

It is certain to rattle voters.

Bolsa Chica, Will Rogers, San Clemente, Carlsbad and San Onofre state beaches would all be closed to visitors. Topanga and Mt. San Jacinto state parks would be shut down. Lifeguards and other seasonal staff would be laid off.



Read the full L.A. Times story

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