We're screwed. Karen Bass concedes that budgets will be slashed no matter what.

[Xithras]

The Sacramento Bee ran an article today on the upcoming May Revise, revealing that the state faces a 15 billion dollar shortage even if the propositions PASS. If they fail, that number climbs to 21 billion. To quote the article:

The state's hole is so deep that politicians traditionally friendly to employee unions (read: Democrats) don't bother to talk about whether state workers will have to take another hit. On Monday, Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, D-Los Angeles, said that if voters approve tax hikes Tuesday, it won't keep lawmakers from axing programs.

So it looks like our own party is now conceding to the slashing of services statewide because of the budget crisis. And how many people will lose their jobs? Those numbers aren't out yet, but another line in the article reveals what the Republicans have planned:

Later that same day, 2010 Republican gubernatorial candidate and former eBay CEO Meg Whitman told the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, "We can lay off 20,000 to 30,000 state employees while prioritizing public safety and teachers."

We're screwed. I just wanted to send a hearty thanks out to all of you voting against the propositions. Those of us facing joblessness will be thinking of you while waiting in the unemployment line.

http://www.sacbee.com/topstories/story/1859851.html

[Merlot]

1. State "crisis" is not about over spending, it's about under taxing

We cut taxes, and there is no money left in the budget. This isn't a surprise, it's a republican strategy to achieve their goal of wiping out gov't services and replacing them with for profit corporations.

[slackmaster]

2. What tax cut are you talking about?

We are about the most heavily taxed working middle class people in the nation.

[Merlot]

3. Tax cuts to rich and corporations

duh

[slackmaster]

4. Corporate taxes in California are higher than in most states

We also have the second-highest state income tax bracket in the nation, and it kicks in at something like $44,500. That's a little too progressive IMO.

I think I pay plenty in taxes.

[bemildred]

5. People that oppose appropriate taxation are unpatriotic.

If you love th USA, you have to be willing to step up and pay for it according to your means.

http://www.times-standard.com/othervoices/ci_12243867

[Throd]

6. Yes, because there is no waste, bloat or redundancy in state government.

[bemildred]

7. There is waste bloat, and redundancy in the private sector too.

In fact its much worse in the private sector. The government at least provides services to the public without paying giant "bone-us-es" to greedy assholes.

[Throd]

8. So?

Not a compelling argument to raise taxes.

[bemildred]

9. You brought up waste and bloat, and then you say "so?"

You raise taxes to pay as you go for government programs. That is simple fiscal responsibility. If you don't like the programs and don't want to pay for them, you elect a new government. If you can't do that, then as a good patriotic citizen you pony up just like everybody else.

[Throd]

10. The state government doesn't represent us.

They represent the corporations and the unions.

[bemildred]

11. Who elected them Who voted for them?

Corporations and unions have money, but they cannot vote. If we don't like them it's our own damn fault.

[Throd]

12. Honest redistricting reform is paramount in helping remedy the current mess

But I readily concede to you that it is our own damn fault.

[bemildred]

14. Ok.

I can at least agree that redistricting can be done way better than it is, based of geographic and demographic facts, instead of how to divide people up to protect the current set of weasels in Sacramento. But I don't really think that lets us off the hook for letting them get away with it.

[slackmaster]

19. Corporations and unions use the money to tell people who to vote for

It's a sad fact of life that winning candidates are usually those who spend the most money on advertising. I wish more people would see through the bullshit and think for themselves.

[slackmaster]

15. Elected officials who waste public funds are unpatriotic too

That's what we have in California.

[bemildred]

16. That's what we have in Washington too.

I'm all for throwing them out and electing better ones, people that tax appropriately for public services and spend it well.

[Xithras]

13. And now it's official. May revise is out.

$3 billion cut from schools if props pass, $5.3 billion cut if they fail. Tens of thousands of teachers laid off either way. Tens of thousands of prisoners released. 5000 state workers to get pink slips before July 1. Billion dollars cut from UC, CSU, & CC system. State to sell assets including Cow Palace and San Quentin.

Yup, screwed.

[truedelphi]

17. I am left wondering if the County Supervisers are still

Eating out every day at County expense (The local newspaper used to cover how much each Superviser ran up on the County tab for their lunches - one Superviser used to run up a tab that equaled one third of my take home pay for the year!)

Yet the first things that get the heavy handed cuts are needed services.

[slackmaster]

18. This is what happens when they push taxpayers to the breaking point

I think we are going to see a bloodbath in the 2012 election after redistricting reform kicks in.

[bemildred]

20. Boy, I hope so.

I was hoping for bloodbath next year.