Stop the Cuts, Close the Loopholes!
By Sara FlocksCalifornia Labor Federation
California was once the envy of the country for our top-notch schools and universities, infrastructure and quality of life. Now California may become the only state in the nation to completely eliminate welfare-to-work assistance and job training for low-income families and their children.
The Governor’s May revision to the state budget proposes $17.9 billion in cuts to state programs, including eliminating welfare-to-work. Over the last two years, state programs have been slashed by $32.5 billion—and there is no relief in sight from this Governor.
It doesn’t have to be this way. The non-partisan Legislative Analysts’ Office clearly presented the Governor and Legislature with other options:
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ACA4: A Little Something for Everyone
By Peter SchragBeware of goo-goos bearing gifts. Today’s lesson comes from ACA4, a Christmas tree of proposed constitutional changes in the legislative budget process.
The gift-bearer is California Forward, a foundation-funded collation of fully certified honorable citizens seeking, as they proclaim, to “improve the quality of life for all Californians by creating more responsive, representative and cost-effective government.”
The official sponsor of ACA 4, which comes up for action in the Assembly Budget Committee today (May 24) , is Assembly member Mike Feuer, a Los Angeles Democrat who hopes it “would not only help restore public trust but likely save taxpayers million of dollars as well.”
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