"A budget is just a method of worrying before you spend money, as well as afterward."-Unknown
Here we go again...
Yesterday, a judge in Sacramento gave Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger his way, he granted Schwarzenegger permission to impose a work furlough on California state workers, which will require them to take 2 days off every month, without pay. It isn't a total surprise, I think I mentioned the possibility here late last summer, but I was really hoping it wouldn't come to this. We are in a better financial situation then we were back then, but it is still stressful to deal with.
Living in California is a trade off in many ways. It is unquestionably beautiful, and it's comfortable, but the cost of living is difficult, especially if you are a one income household. Jobs are becoming scarce, as more and more homes are foreclosed in the area, and companies are laying off. Earlier this week a chocolate company, here in Berkeley announced it's closing, and if you drive through any community here in the Bay Area, you will see more and more small businesses and companies gone. It's sad.
This move by the governor will cause a hardship for families already struggling under the pressure of the sunken economy. With this work furlough in place, more homes will end up in foreclosure, and as families will be forced to tighten the belts even further, and spending will drop even more. This idea of Schwarzenegger will help his budgetary problems initially, but it will devastate the economy of California for years to come, as we all struggle to recover. So why are we in this mess? Simple, the powers that be in California are too busy engaging in politics to care what they are doing to the rest of us.
And where is Washington?
Posturing mostly. Taking credit for how clever they are. President Obama has reached across the table to work with republicans, to try and find a solution to the stimulus resistance, what did he get for the gesture? Not a single republican in the house voted for the latest version of the stimulus package. Sigh. We have got to get on with life and rebuilding. California is not the only state with financial problems, we are all suffering. So where are the republicans this weekend? On a retreat to Virginia. Nice... very nice.
Every single politician, democrat or republican, that voted for the financial system bailout last autumn should be ashamed of themselves right now. I said it at the time that if there was no oversight, no accountability, it would end up exactly as it has. Millions and millions of dollars went to bonuses. But really, who didn't see that coming? It was a Bush parting gift to all of us, but hey, Obama voted for it knowing there was no accountability in sight, so what are you going to do?
Disappointing indeed.
Loans vs Grants to struggling states is still something that needs to be ironed out in the stimulus package. Personally, I don't really care which it is, we are at the point were something has to be done. Period.
Think good thoughts for California. Ok?
You can read more about the judge's decision by clicking the link below.
"Judge Approves Schwarzenegger's Worker Furlough Plan" (Sacramento Bee)
-Carly
California Capitol Building
Sacramento, California
