California is the Unwilling Star of a Slasher Film

California is the Unwilling Star of a Slasher Film

The details of the budget agreement negotiated between the Governor and legislative leaders are emerging, and the overall picture is devastating. Rather than including even modest proposals to raise revenues during the most serious recession since the Great Depression, the "solution" is all about cuts. The situation is no longer a "suspense movie," as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger referred to the negotiations. It now resembles a slasher film -- full of deep and horrifying cuts.

In this latest remake of the classic slasher film Psycho, Janet Leigh's character Marion is played by California. Sure, she's made some mistakes; she's ambitious and perhaps a little naive -- but no one deserves to be cut to shreds. California's children and young adults were early victims, with $6 billion in cuts to K-14 and $3 billion in cuts to higher education reported. Also facing the knife are health and welfare programs. Because so much of the general fund is dedicated to these programs, we could predict their fate during the opening credits of the budget negotiations.

Environmental agencies and programs have survived, although they had to vigorously fend off their attackers. However, the quality of the state's environment will no doubt be left with some serious scars. Several of the proposals that were most damaging to the state's environmental programs were included in the budget deal, including allowing offshore oil drilling and closing dozens of the state's world-famous parks. (A note: these issues are still evolving, as the actual bill language is still being finalized; the following is based on available information.)

Offshore Oil Drilling

Legislative leaders accepted the Schwarzenegger Administration's proposal to override the State Lands Commission's rejection of new offshore oil drilling off the Santa Barbara coast. The Governor's proposal removes the lease authority from the Commission -- which has performed leasing functions in state government for almost a century -- and instead gives it to a committee consisting of the governor's political appointments. The deal allows the approval of a lease despite the fact that there are no guarantees that the billions in alleged revenue for the state budget will be provided by the oil company. In a shocking plot twist, Governor Schwarzenegger's proposal is apparently weaker than the conditions the oil company was willing to accept at the State Lands Commission.

State Parks

The bottom line: Between 30-50 of the state's parks could be closed as a result of the budget deal. No, the park system didn't lose any vital organs, but it could lose a limb or two.

Governor Schwarzenegger's proposal to cut park funding and close 220 of the state's parks -- 80% of the country's largest state park system -- was one of the proposals that environmental voters opposed most vocally. As a result of this very public push-back, the vast majority of state parks appear to have been spared. However, approximately $70 million of the parks' general fund allocation will be eliminated, with other funding sources backfilling $62 million. The $8 million gap remaining for the Department of Parks and Recreation will likely mean dozens of park closures.

I admit it's hard to see how this story has a happy ending. After all, we are facing a $26 billion shortfall, and no plot device is going to make every audience member happy. But there are still opportunities for our legislative leaders to be heroes and save California's safety net, quality of life and natural beauty from death by a thousand cuts.

Notice that I have yet to say who's playing the villain. And that's because there are too many factors at play here to name just one. The greed and deregulation that led to the current economic crisis. The crippling two-thirds majority requirement for a budget. The warped budget process that results in just five individuals negotiating behind closed doors. The deep-pocketed polluters who leap at every chance to influence a broken process. The legislators who absolutely refuse to consider common-sense proposals to raise revenues in order to truly "share the pain." Just to name a few.

I've never been a fan of horror movies (I'd rather see California in a romantic comedy). For now, please join me in writing a new script for the Golden State's future -- a sequel where the quality of education, public health and safety, and California's natural resources and environmental heritage would win out over knife-wielding psychos.

Comments

[WASanford]

California isn't alone in experiencing a shortfall in revenues, in fact most of the states are in the same circumstance. What makes California so different is the two thirds requirement needed to pass any money bill that would raise taxes. This is exacerbated by the tendency of our electorate to elect state officials who are good looking rather than those who can do the state some good. Our current governor is a case in point. I didn't think California could manage to do worse than Ronald Regan, but our current governor is even more malignant. We offer billions of dollars in tax breaks for multinational corporations to locate here, not that any of that actually addresses our current unemployment problem. This "budget" also incorporates offshore drilling, more in response, I think, to the hundred thousands of dollars to the governors campaign coffers by oil interests than to any benefit that might pertain to California.

In the first Batman movie the Joker said "Wait until they get a load of me!" Yeah California, just wait! There will be some changes made alright.

[nee]

The problem is we keep elected people who only know how to spend money. We are #1 in the nation in sales tax and income tax and we are #6 in overall taxes. They have way more money than they need. They just don't know how to use it WISELY!

[Indra]

The Guv did tha right thing. I like Arnold. I don't agree with him on some things but I have to say that he makes a lot of good rational sense on many issues. He would make an interesting President. Too bad he was not born in the US so he could run.

[david43a]

Democratic or republican, are y'all really buying that there is a difference?
This country has been bought and sold several times....red or blue?
No difference at all! The same folks own the store, no matter who is managing it!

[oafishcad]

Of course one thing no one seems to mention is the extra burden California has paying for the education and healthcare of all the illegals here. Their education costs more than natural born citizens because of the many languages spoken. The healthcare is usually in emergency rooms and has caused the closure of many emergency rooms, especially in Southern California. Couple that with the Republican cant of never raise taxes, and the inevitable will always happen.

[david43a]

That is because of the following...
if you mention the above FACTS, you must be a racist!
If you tire of seeing H1B's working while citizens struggle to find a job, you must be a racist!
This is called intimidation folks! And it is working!

[oafishcad]

Legalize marijuana. Fewer people in prison, lower law enforcement costs, more taxes. Tax the oil pumped here. A start. Don't elect any more Republicans. There are lots of ways to fix this mess. As it is now only the poor and needy will pay for the cuts, not one dime from the wealthy. The Republican way.

[DemCentrist]

Democrats have been in control of CA for decades. Nothing can be passed without a 2/3 majority. The state is ungovernable.

Arnold is just a puppet to our entrenched special interests like every other politician in this country.

[oafishcad]

It was the Republicans who prevented the Democrats, who wanted to raise some revenues, from prevailing. As Ahhhnold said, he would approve no budget with tax increases. The only alternative is to cut programs. Just as they did at the national level, Republicans have once again destroyed another economy. None of the hurt will be incurred by the many ultra rich who live here, all the burden will be borne by the middle class and poor, mostly the poor. Republican policy at work, again.

[JudgeCCrater]

"Republicans are just what happens to this country when we decide not to
govern ourselves. They’re the party of aggression, consumption, and
self-congratulation in the form of patriotic bathos."

[Economike]

I like to think of California as kind of like the Isle Saint Marie off Madagscar a well known pirate haven at one time. People with lots of money retire here cause they know they won't have to contribute to the schools or social services for the rest of the little people.

[nee]

Are you KIDDING? You must not live in CA. CA natives flee when they retire. We are #1 in sales tax and income tax. How does that help those who retire?

[FortressOrange]

State spending has DOUBLED in California since 2002. Now, we make some cuts and it's the end of the world? I don't understand that logic.

[runfastandwin]

The villians are the Republicans and it's time we said so loudly and repeatedly. They have run this state for 24 of the last 29 years, including the last 6. If the last 3 Republican Governors who have been in charge for most of the last 25 years are not to blame, then no one is. And I ain't buying that story.

[nee]

Dem's have been the ones running our state- You must not live here.

[Kassandra]

This is gonna spread, you watch. Welcome to the race to the bottom, America.

[SILVANUS]

Welcome to Mad Max.
But an i ncrease in "private security corporations" to protect the real estate of thieves.

Welcome to your ungolden future, California.

"They Live."

[rainbowblue]

No one really is empathetic to the problems of California. You guys balme the politicians, but not only did you vote for them, but you voted against their tax increases in years before. What about the silly idea of a property tax freeze? Look where the Californian philospohy of voter controlled spending and taxation has gotten you: a bankrupt state. There's a reason that not every state, or every Western nation does what you do, that is voter referendums on almost everything, it's because the people hardly know enough to vote on issues concerning their wellfare. And it's not even about not knowing, a population the size of California can't possibly work together to decide what's best for them, that is why a system of representation was developed. Califonia shrugged this time honored and effective form of governing and look what it did to them. Sorry, peddle your California pity stories elsewhere.

[jmpurser]

Not quite. Most of the state didn't vote for the republicans that are at the heart of the problem.

[MSB]

I think you are being a bit harsh.

I agree with you about this issue, however it is not like most of the citizens have nefarious intent, and now there is real suffering based largely upon ineffective legislators, a horrifically poor governor, and a budget and proposition/measure system which is idiotic. It is like a perfect storm of incompetence, but you need to understand that most citizens are hugely against it, it is just that between public stupidity (which is NOT unique to California), and craven/selfish political insensitivity and opportunism, the citizens are caught in the middle. They DON'T deserve this. In addition, it is not like ALL of the citizens support what you accuse the state of.

If I had my way, we would have millions in the street and would be recalling 90% of our state politicians. Then, first order of business - a State Constitutional Convention.

The "Govenator" is in the handful of worst politicians in American history. Maria Shriver should be ashamed of herself. The Kennedys must be scratching their collective heads.

[rgoulet]

No surprise that the governor did what he's done. The thing that really surprises me is how the Democrats continue to roll over on things like offshore oil drilling. Really shameful.

[jmpurser]

The Democrats have more at stake than the GOP. The GOP is holding most of the state's citizen's hostage and is perfectly willing to let them die before giving an inch. The Democrats aren't. Simple as that.

[GardenerNorCal]

Well the Governator did it. He got off shore drilling for the oil moguls. That's what he was elected to do and he's done it. Sorry if I don't applaud.

[coastalcarla]

You right - they've been hounding his heels since he got into office. And they finally got their way. They waited until enough people that remembered the huge oil fracas in San Diego a few decades ago had passed on, and are going to be drilling in the exact same place now. Old people remember when that happened - at one point, the massive amounts of oil bubbling up from the sand and washing up on shore silenced the waves completely. I'm sure we can look forward to that again in the near future. I'm just glad I live in No. Cal now. They better stock up on dish soap down there - there will be lots of seals, otters and birds to wash pretty soon.

[nee]

We have the highest sales tax and income tax in the nation and we are #6 in overall taxes. They get PLENTY of money they are just not using it correctly. There is so much waste. This is a start.

[calfacon]

We are the ONLY state in the union that does not charge royalty fees for oil pumped out of California, even Sarah's Alaska does. Those give-aways to Cheveon, Exxon, et al would MORE than make up the budget deficit.
"There is so much waste." I cannot agree that the UC system, Community Colleges and K-12 schools are a waste. How appalling that you find education to be a waste.

[overd0g1]

Of course they'll cut education before they lay a finger on the unions, that now supply far better wages and benefits than the private sector that pays for them. It's a farce.

[nee]

calfacon - I am a teacher so you are WAY off base. I don't think education is a waste I KNOW that there is A LOT of waste in education. Do you see the difference???????????