State furloughs prompt strike threat from union

Top Turkey wrote:

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I don't have a solution and there isn't any, since California is a third world state and most of those elected to the legislature are free spending liberals. The 2/3 requirement to pass a budget is the only thing that averts a total disaster. Most other states are more fiscally responsible than California, and don't need the 2/3's requirement.
Things would be much better, if all the illegal aliens were deported, but that's not going to happen.
The state has been living on borrowed money for many years now (just like people living off of credit cards); and now income is down and the borrowing is maxed out.
As stated before, every special interest around, has their hand in the State cookie jar, wanting more and more each year. There are way too many freeloaders in society, getting free money instead of having to work for it.

Tina G wrote:

Just where does the union and the State employees expect the money to come from when the State has a $26,000,000,000 deficit and growing? Raise Taxes? Raise fees? The voters turned that down in the last election. Are these unions that dumb to go against what e voted for?

ChiliHead wrote:

<quoted text>Raising fees and taxes is the only way. Lay off workers and they get unemployment pay from the state. Then the state still loses. Dont blame the unions for the mismanagement of the state govt.

spoon wrote:

Well, the simple fact is, at least in California, the state worker is the hardest hit job market there is. There's a hiring freeze, a 15% pay cut on top of the below market wages, and more pay cuts threatened. The average Californian is in truth doing far better.

Vince Perez wrote:

Yes, go ahead and drive the state into bankruptcy...then maybe we can get something done around here. What you folks don't seem to realize is that this bloated leftist government in California has driven the very tax base required to fund your fairy tale jobs and retirements right out of the state. What's left that's not silicon valley, and military-industrial, and construction/development(oops- no more of that), is government itself, and retail, and underground cash economy = no tax base.....so....why don't we legalize pot and statewide gambling?! Yeah, that's it- short-term quick money leading to long-term reduced productivity, lawlessness, fiscal irresponsibility, and more underground cash economy and self-serving special interests! Yeah that state lottery and Indian gaming really gave us a shot in the arm when we needed it! lol Turn off the TV, forget about the movies, let MJ rest in peace! And get to work Californians! Rich and poor alike- get to work! oh wait, there are no jobs....sorry.

yeah wrote:

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Sorry, I don't agree with deporting ALL illegals. If they are productive tax paying law abiding people, they should stay.
I agree that certain entitlements need to be cut. I think most sensible people would agree that you can't give continue to give away certain services for free while the State goes deeper into the red.
Let's face it. Nothing gets done in Sacramento on the budget because 2/3 is difficult to obtain. We are already at disaster with IOUs and a ridiculous $26B deficit. This is because the State cannot get 2/3 to pass the da mn budget.

yeah wrote:

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Sorry, I don't agree with deporting ALL illegals. If they are productive tax paying law abiding people, they should stay.
I agree that certain entitlements need to be cut. I think most sensible people would agree that you can't give continue to give away certain services for free while the State goes deeper into the red.
Let's face it. Nothing gets done in Sacramento on the budget because 2/3 is difficult to obtain. We are already at disaster with IOUs and a ridiculous $26B deficit. This is because the State cannot get 2/3 to pass the da mn budget.

Anonymous wrote:

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Even with the 2/3 requirement, CA residents are some of the highest taxed citizens in the US. Imagine how high the taxes would be without it. Karen Bass, leader of the assembly, doesn't think we citizens know what we voted on in May. 75% of the citizens shot down their tax schemes and she doesn't think we understood what we were voting for? Karen Bass doesn't think the state should go after welfare frauds and cheats. According to her, if we go after these criminals, we will be balancing the budget on the backs of the poor.
THANK GOD FOR THE 2/3 REQUIREMENT!

RealDemocrat wrote:

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A California Refugee Mourns Her Native State’s Demise
From: Eloise Wilson (e-mail her)
Re: Joe Guzzardi’s Column: So Long California, Thanks For The Memories
Like Guzzardi, I was born and raised in Southern California, although in the 1960s, a few years after he was. At the time, almost everyone was a native Californian.
I too have my memories. I recall when Orange County was just that—an orange grove. The travel time from Orange County to downtown was 20 minutes. Visiting the beaches or mountains didn’t involve a traffic nightmare.
Even for a white adolescent, walking through Maywood was safe. The strip between Laguna Beach and San Diego were sleepy town like Oceanside and San Clemente.
Now from Santa Monica to the California border shared with Mexico, it’s all like Tijuana.
What caused California to go downhill is its pre-crisis cost of housing, excessive taxation on businesses and individuals and overcrowding cause by the state’s unrestrained acceptance of illegal immigrants.
I left California five years ago for and have no plans to return, even for a visit. I’d tell you where, but I prefer it if you don’t join me.

Cervelo wrote:

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Karen Bass is a glaring example of the underlying problem. There's something truly ironic about brain-dead politicians thinking the public doesn't know what they voted on.