Schwarzenegger budget would fire 5,000 workers, release up to 23,000 prisoners

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger today proposed major cuts to education, healthcare, prisons and other services on the eve of a special election that will determine how many billions he and lawmakers must slice from the budget to curtail a growing shortfall.

The governor offered two scenarios. The first was grim, to address a $15.4-billion deficit that finance officials say the state will face even if voters approve a set of ballot measures Tuesday. The second was devastating, intended to close a $21.3 billion gap if the measures fail.

The governor’s plan, unveiled this afternoon, would take $5 billion from public schools if the ballot propositions fail and $3 billion if they pass. Depending on the size of the budget gap, the state would also borrow up to $2 billion from local government and release up to 19,000 undocumented immigrants from state prisons, turning them over to federal authorities. Up to 23,000 other state prisoners could be sent to county jails.

In either budget scenario, Schwarzenegger would also lay off 5,000 workers, sell the Los Angeles Coliseum, Sports Arena, San Quentin State Prison and other facilities and eliminate some state boards and commissions.

Only three months ago, Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders reached a budget deal they said would carry the state through the middle of next year. But a worsening economy and falling tax revenues have thrown that plan way out of balance.

--Michael Rothfeld in Sacramento

Comments

[JAR]

Yawn.
The governor is living in la la land. He can't sell San Quentin- who would buy it? As for the Coliseum- it doesn't belong to him. He would have more success selling the state house and the governor's mansion.
Remember- this is the same governor, when faced with this economy, promised SEIU 1000 that they would never be laid off, would never have a pay cut, wouldn't really loose 2 holidays (they got 2 personal holidays instead). It is far more dramatic to say California's going to burn.

[Bobby]

So much for Ah-nold's political career.

Haste la vista, baby!

[BobFoolery]

Really? When the state government fails, they can just hand over their responsibilities to federal and local governments? They can just walk away?

I'll remember that when I'm laid off, but still haven't paid my state taxes for the year - just walk away because I can't afford it.

[Brittanicus]

Simply recognize that California is a---SANCTUARY STATE---and by removing millions of illegal immigrants and their families will assist on balancing the budget. So vote---NO--on all propositions as you are supporting parasite businesses that hire illegal cheap labor. Taxpayers are unknowingly paying billions of dollars in State benefits to underwrite education, health care, housing and other benefits. Learn more at NUMBERSUSA, JUDICIALWATCH.

[Frank Courser]

They can release far more than 23,000 inmates with no affect to public safety. Every month they parole over 10,000 inmates, about 120,000 each year. The majority are returned for technical parole violations not new crimes! About half the prison population are non-violent offenders, some doing life under California’s Three Strikes Law. 690 for simple drug possession, 350 for shoplifting, 181 for receiving stolen property. Most have served 10-15 years already. Re-sentencing them would be painless and save hundreds of millions of your tax dollars that should go to education, health care and paying off state debt! It is the fear peddlers that profit from these inmates that object. Don’t buy into fear tactics! That is exactly what this governor wants.