Governor chides California's Congress members over federal money

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger sharpened his criticism of the federal government in an interview televised this morning, taking aim at California’s congressional representatives for what he said was a failure to advocate for enough funding from Washington.

Schwarzenegger said in his State of the State address Wednesday and in unveiling his budget proposal Friday that the state would press Washington for what he says is its fair share of the taxes Californians pay to the federal government. He said California receives less back on every dollar it sends than other states.

“We also will inspire and push extra hard the California congressional delegation, the bipartisan delegation, because they’re not …. representing us really well in this case,” Schwarzenegger said on "Meet the Press" in an interview taped Saturday that aired on NBC today. “If you think about that, the Senate just voted for a healthcare bill that is saying basically that California should pay for Nebraska, so that Nebraska never has to pay any extra money.”

The state’s federal lawmakers had reacted negatively to Schwarzenegger's statements last week even before his more pointed criticism of them.

Rep. Zoe Lofgren of San Jose, head of the California Democratic delegation in Congress, said Friday that the delegation would do "what we can to support California." But she said Schwarzenegger "sounds like he’s trying to avoid responsibility. He’s the governor. We’re not. There has been a financial storm brewing in California for years. They haven’t dealt with it."

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) disputed Schwarzenegger’s assertions that California isn’t getting its fair share, contending that the governor’s office is using outdated figures that don’t reflect the money the state has received under the federal stimulus bill. But she noted that the Democratic-controlled Congress is working on a jobs bill that could send more money to states.

"What I don’t think is helpful is it’s the federal government against the state government," said Boxer, who’s up for reelection this year. "We’re representing the same people here."

In his interview with NBC’s David Gregory, Schwarzenegger dodged a question about what he would do if the federal government does not come up with extra money to help plug the state’s $20-billion budget gap.

“I never really think so much about the Option B, because that’s a loser’s attitude,” Schwarzenegger answered, saying he would keep pushing until he succeeds.

He neglected to tell the national television audience that he does have an Option B: a “trigger” he included in his budget plan Friday under which he would eliminate the state programs providing welfare, children’s healthcare and home care for the elderly and disabled, among other cuts, if the federal government doesn’t come though. That plan is unlikely to be approved by state lawmakers, however.

-- Michael Rothfeld in Sacramento and Richard Simon in Washington

Comments

[San Diego]

The governor is right. Our representatives need to remember that their job is to represent the citizens of this state, not a particular political party. The upcoming health care legislation is a prime example. It's estimated that as currently written, California will be saddled with another 3-4 billion dollars annually for unfunded Medicaid liabilities! How is this good for California?

12% of the income for the federal government originates in California (more than any other state), and yet our state is 43rd when it comes to return on this contribution. It's long past time for our senators and congressmen (women) to start working for the state of California.

[Lornaj]

The governor is a fault, and does not want to take responsibility for his failures. He has never taken responsibility for his actions. He is always right, and is never wrong. I thank God that he can never run for president. The governor, and our leaders have put CA in a deep mess; and they have done it with our help. We believed their lies, and we are paying the price Big Time.

[Los Angeles]

San Diego is correct. And someone needs to tell the Gov that he is in charge, and to simply withhold the amount the feds are not returning, then simply withhold paying them each quarter, until we "balance the numbers" with some of their own New World Order fuzzy math. California comes first!

[Nancy Jones]

Arnie needs to get the illegals out of CALIFORNIA and stop paying there bills and get back to the fact that Arnie works in AMERICA for the People in CALIFORNIA and put to work the citizens and not the illegals.

[wakeupCA]

The Gov is right and if our state rep's in Washington were not complete democratic sheep, we would be in much better shape. It should of been our representative's holding out and doing what is best for our employers and the people of this state. They are to busy giving away our tax dollars to those who are not deserving while raising their own pay. It's time to stop being a door mat to the democratic party and start getting our fair share of the federal fleecing. Remember the pathetic performance of all our elected officials, federal and state when we get the opportunity to fire them. Wake up people, our democratic representation at all levels has sold us out for votes from those they are about to give amnesity too!

[Jim VG]

Under the circumstances, I see the problem here as six of one and half a dozen of the other. California's main problem is that there are too many riding in the wagon while there are too few pulling the wagon. The U.S. Govt needs to start enforcing the immigration laws and deporting those sucking the system dry and the State needs to cut back funding those same people with money they did not contribute.

[dump the feds]

boxer and feinstein need to go! The no longer represent the state, but only thier self interests!

[CC in SD]

This story's writers have their heads in the sand if they believe that the Plan B cuts to welfare, children’s healthcare and home care for the elderly and disabled are "unlikely to be approved by state lawmakers".

These are the programs that Republican lawmakers have been gunning for for years, this budget crisis is a convenient excuse to cut programs to constituents who are unlikely to affect the ballot box on election day, while saving dollars to spend for the same kind of pork they wish their Federal counterparts would bring. Funny, this behavior is only problematic when it benefits another state.

Meanwhile as business owner, paying a significantly high tax rate to the state of California and employing dozens of people, I am horrified that my disabled child is already being denied the services and education he needs because he is considered a drain on the economy. These are not services I can just go out and find on the open market, and if I could I would still be required to pay just as much tax to CA.

Apparently people with disabilities are entitled to decent and humane care only during the good times. When money is tight- too bad; these will be the hardest hit.

[Rancho Cucamonga]

I do agree with Arnold those in DC that represent California are not getting the dollars we need here in this state.

[rutofcontrol]

Maybe we should blame the War on Drugs which continues to inflate the prices of drugs artificially and the profit margins that come with any unregulated industry.

We have a weak economy, no jobs -- but the drugs are still out there. It is
the basic economic equation that drives the gang enterprise. The gang is an economic entity and as long as people need money to eat and pay rent, and as long as drugs are illegal, we're going to have gangs, and their turf wars will be violent. Have we learned anything from our current policies that what we have is California in crisis thanks to this Governor.

[leavingLA]

Arnold is right in this case. The Politicans are out of control in this Country, but California has bred some of the worst. They are so deeply corrupt and to fund their agenda, they saddle us with increasing debt and reward the pay to play entities that fatten their personal kitties. It starts local, like Ridley Thomas and his $million office makeover to Villaraigosas trips abroad to share his Green job accomplishments to Arnolds pet Global Varming initiatives, and then theres Boxer, Feinstein and Princess Pelosi's social projects while they dig deeper into our pockets. They live on another planet yet they refuse to admit that they are the problems. Govt is out of control and we need to take it back. We the people don't need frauds like this to tell us what is best for us. THEY ARE THE PROBLEM!

[Gordon Potik]

Hey Gov.... Don't you remember ... We drove out this guy ... what was his name ... his name matched his hair ... thats right ... Grey Davis. Stop blaming everyone else for your broken promises. No Governor has done so much to destroy California's economy in as short a time as you. I guess your guilt is gone though since we only paid you a dollar per year for your services. What a mistake that was.