Already faced with 12% unemployment, California consumers are now facing rising prices at the pump. A year ago, when markets were collapsing, gas averaged $1.99 a gallon in the golden state, but have recently risen to $3.04. Nationally, gas averaged $1.78 a year ago, but have risen to $2.75 a gallon. Analysts state that a sharp rise in the price of crude oil is driving the steady ascent. Oil is more than $40 a barrel more expensive compared to a year ago.
Governor Schwarzenegger has laid down the gauntlet to the Federal Government. Claiming that California is chronically short-changed due to an inaccurate federal funding formula, Schwarzenegger is demanding $6.9 billion to help plug the current $21 billion budget deficit. If California is unable to secure the additional federal aid, then the Governor has threatened to make painful cuts to a variety of statewide social programs. Thus far, however, the Federal Government has not been very receptive.
Watching the current debate over the attempt to place a constitutional convention on California's ballot, one cannot help but notice the persistent invocation of a very dangerous political fallacy - the fallacy of universal "independence." That is to say, looking at the state of California's economy and government, practically everybody thinks to themselves, "Good God! It's both of those squabbling, silly parties that got us into this mess in the first place!
It is officially Mid-January 2010, and California is still nearly $20 billion short in budgetary funds. $19.9 billion is a lot of money, and so it makes sense that Governor Schwarzenegger is looking to balance the books. On January 8, the governor announced an 18-month plan to address the massive shortfall, which included $6.9 billion in expected funds from the federal government.
Amnesty would provide the United States with a "foundation for robust, just, and widespread economic growth" according to Chicano Studies Professor Raul Hinojosa-Ojeda. In his report for the Center for American Progress, Dr. Hinojosa-Ojeda cited that comprehensive immigration reform would benefit both the American worker and the American economy.
In 2004, Governor Schwarzenegger stated that he was going to become California's job czar. Six years later, Californians are still waiting for those jobs. On January 6, 2004, the Governor made "jobs, jobs, jobs" his first priority with unemployment at a modestly elevated 6+%. On January 6, 2010, the Governor once again made "jobs, jobs, jobs" his first priority with unemployment at a dismal 12+%.
In a NY Times editorial, state lawmakers are exhorted to "find their spine" on prison reform. While praising Schwarzenegger for his commitment to spend more on education than on prisons, the editorial blasts his alternative proposals to pass yet another constitutional amendment to limit state spending or to privatize the entire prison system.
Later today, Governor Schwarzenegger will unveil yet another budget plan sure to make everyone cringe. After closing last year's $26 billion deficit through accounting gimmicks, tax hikes, and spending cuts, the state is facing a $21 billion deficit over the next 18 months.
Although campaign finance laws limit the amount an individual can donate to a particular candidate, a California Watch Investigation shows that several influential party donors, on both sides of the aisle, are dodging the rules by funneling money through local party committees. County parties, in many hotly contested races, have become middlemen in money laundering schemes, acting as distribution centers for big donors
Columnist Byron Williams has made a provocative claim that is sure to challenge California voters. Instead of incessantly blaming the Governor and legislature for the state's current predicament, perhaps voters should take a long, hard look in the mirror. While state government has failed the people in numerous ways, the people have elected these politicians, and the people have voted for several propositions, often contradicting each other at times, that generate massive deficits.