Comments on: Does Budget Forum Portend Tax Hikes?

By: Scott

Scott — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 17:09:03 +0000

The Dept of Social Services could save billions by eliminating CalWORKS with federal TANF only. Almost all TANF funding is a block grant from the feds. CalWORKs is the state-administered program that exists alongside TANF. The problem is that the CalWORKs regulations permit individuals to stay on STATE-funded welfare after they have exhausted their five years of TANF eligibility. Individuals can claim “domestic violence” without any proof whatsoever, and then stay on state-funded welfare essentially forever. When an individual finally uses up all TANF and CalWORKs eligibility, the children in the family stay on state-funded welfare until they are 18. THIS is why welfare in CA is so expensive.

By: DavidfromLosGatos

DavidfromLosGatos — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 02:16:58 +0000

“And DC will loan money to CA and other states, but with the condition that they spend within their means. That’s the end game….”

Would be nice, but I doubt it.

First, who is “DC” to lecture anyone on keeping their spending within their means? Talk about “do what I say and not what I do.”

More to the point, California is not alone. Lots of states are broke, and have promised all manner of future medical and retirement benefits they have no possible way to pay. Everyone will have their hands out to the lender of last resort. There will be no accountability for anyone.

Furthermore, DC would merely be “loaning” us the money that they took from us under threat of prison (ask Mr. Snipes). Such a deal. Or, maybe by that time they will just overtly print the money, and not make any pretense that it will be paid back.

By: RW Dougherty

RW Dougherty — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 23:57:08 +0000

Shove all the service back down to the local level and let them go to the voters ask the simple question, do you want to keep the service or raise taxes?

By the way, Sonoma County supervisors make nearly $150K a year, health/dental/and vision benefits that range from $7K – $13K a year AND a 3%@60 retirement plan that is paid entirely by the county. No contribution by the supervisor. I don’t even know if the position is full or part-time. Talking about the high cost of administration. Voters better wake up and pay attention to what’s been going on in local government.

By: John

John — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 23:40:09 +0000

The legislators in Sacramento (including most of the GOP) are a disgrace. This is what happens place when politicians gain too much power. Most of them are like children, who having acted badly, point fingers at each other and behave as if they are innocent bystanders. The structural deficit is so enormous that there is no will to make such large cuts, and the public will not tolerate additional taxes. The only thing that will get the attention of these arrogant people is the bond market, and when the markets no longer lend to the State (& that day will come), they will go begging to DC. And DC will loan money to CA and other states, but with the condition that they spend within their means. That’s the end game, and I will relish watching the faces of these cowards and their union cohorts as they see their piggy bank go up in smoke. Unfortunately, there will be a lot of innocent folks who get hurt in the process, but again that’s the price we pay for giving these egoists too much power.

http://blogs.the-american-interest.com/wrm/2010/12/06/ny-times-warning-blue-state-armageddon-on-the-way/