[Adwetyren]

You're violating "The Deal." For decades, government workers have worked at less than market rate, with no chance of ever getting rich or even bonuses. In exchange, "The Deal" is that they get pensions and health care.

So, now you've cut those out. Cops, firefighter, EMTs, teachers, etc. will get jobs out of state. Those that stay, will go to county emergency rooms instead of their old HMO's [which is much more expensive] and will apply for welfare instead of pensions.

Mean-spirited economics are usually bad economics.

Edit: -- Wait a minute! Govt benefits = ~$3billion. Your task was to close a deficit of $24 billion. You still have $21 billion to go.

[Fun link, BTW I wish it had sliders tho. I want to raise gas taxes by 16-cents, not 32-cents-per-gallon.]

I got a $215 million surplus by: Closing down all public institutions of higher education; cutting all other education as much as legally possible, endings funds to all public parks -- they have to pay for themselves; stealing local governments' share of the gas tax and using it to pay interest on transportation bonds; opening up the Santa Barbara Channel to offshore drilling and by instituting a oil severance tax; adding a 32-cent-per-gallon gas tax and by raising taxes on those making over $300,000/year.

I got a $2.5 billion surplus by also removing Prop. 13 tax-limitations on commercial property. That would let me cut my gasoline-tax increase in half and still balance the budget.

[Habalinnyf]

I basically cut welfare and the state healthcare budget (and employee benefits) while raising sin taxes and allowing increased oil drilling on state lands. I avoided all cuts to education, made a few minor cuts to other programs, and changed the prison rules to get people out of jail earlier. This resulted in a $2.4 billion yearly surplus (which I'd dedicate to paying down the state debt) from $7.8 billion in cuts and $18.5 billion in new taxes (increased gas tax, increased tobacco tax, increased alcohol taxes, and repealing prop 13 on commercial property).

As I've said in other threads there really isn't a big problem figuring out how to fix the state budget, that's relatively easy, the big problem is passing the 2/3rds requirement which always blocks a sensible budget. There are just to many extreme partisans due to gerrymandered districts and to many special interests who are willing to fight to the death for their slice of pork.

[Maydayvar]

Where's the option to annex Nevada?

[Lerpenoaneway]

You're violating "The Deal." For decades, government workers have worked at less than market rate, with no chance of ever getting rich or even bonuses. In exchange, "The Deal" is that they get pensions and health care. They don't give me a button that says:

1. Fire half the bureaucracy, save 20 billion dollars.

So, now you've cut those out. Cops, firefighter, EMTs, teachers, etc. will get jobs out of state. Those that stay, will go to county emergency rooms instead of their old HMO's [which is much more expensive] and will apply for welfare instead of pensions. I can only work with the tools they give me. I'd rather see cops, firefighters and teachers get paid more, but you know damn well the best pay goes to the administrative desk jockeys.

[Ephejvll]

Yikes. What a way to destroy California.

Ben...California's already been destroyed...now, it's just a matter of which way the rubble bounces.


I can only work with the tools they give me. I'd rather see cops, firefighters and teachers get paid more, but you know damn well the best pay goes to the administrative desk jockeys. Very true. The chief administrator of the Los Angeles Superior Court -- last I looked -- made $40,000/year more than our Chief Justice. Chief Justice Ronald George has my total respect This other guy...er...does not.

CA is ungovernable due to its prop system. No one could run it. Dino & I are in total agreement!

[PerfectCreditForYou]

It is a piece of cake if you sell off the community college system. And raise taxes.

That would never pass in a million years especially since anyone trying to sell off the public community colleges would get sued to death. That's a complete nonstarter.

[Feelundseenna]

That would never pass in a million years especially since anyone trying to sell off the public community colleges would get sued to death. That's a complete nonstarter.

Im a little confused on Community Colleges

They are run by the State, shouldnt they have the cost of classes pay for the teachers?

I often wonder how something thats not tied to maintainence such as D O T work, can lose money?

The CHiP would only need get stricter ticket writing practices to help pay for their department which is mostly traffic enforcement?


Just curious is all..............

[Evoncalabbalo]

You're violating "The Deal." For decades, government workers have worked at less than market rate, with no chance of ever getting rich or even bonuses. In exchange, "The Deal" is that they get pensions and health care.

And it's a terrible deal for the government. It results in armies of low-skill workers with high job security uncorrelated with performance and a very VERY high incentive to keep their budgets regardless of the actual value of their work.

[brilkyPlayday]

Im a little confused on Community Colleges

They are run by the State, shouldnt they have the cost of classes pay for the teachers?

In order that anyone who wants to improve their education can afford to do so community colleges are heavily subsidized.

[Cajlwdvx]

Um, isn't it STILL the top-rated public university system in the country? Aren't UVA, UMich, maybe UIUC in some fields the only 2-3 state schools that come close to Berkeley?

[ticfarentibia]

Oh yeah, forgot UT, for some stuff at least.

[dodadaxia]

UMD at least use to be up there too.

But yeah, the Cali public universities are very good.

JM