As the publisher of this website, on many a day, I am personally scouring over 80 websites to pull together our well-read main news summary page. But there are a number of days, like today, where the "elves" tirelessly put the site together and I get to enjoy the website as a "normal" reader, just like you.
One of the thinks I enjoy about the FR main page is that when there is a big news item, we will cluster together all of the stories written on the subject from the major California dailies. A great example would be today, where a host of stories appear under the banner of "State Fiscal Emergency."
I read through most of the stories (only the most obtuse political hacks care to see how different reporters from different papers cover the same story), and I actually ended up reading the Los Angeles Times story by Evan Halper not once, but twice. It struck me on reading it that a casual reader in L.A., perusing the paper over their Wheaties this morning, would have to struggle to figure that easily.
Let me clarify, I can’t say that Evan’s story isn’t accurate. And he is right that there is a long way to go in conveying to his readers that there is a long wa to go to right the red-ink laden vessel known as the HMS California Budget.
But I think it is worth emphasizing the distinction between the Governor’s goal in calling the emergency session on the budget. It’s purpose was to take action to deal with the current FY ’07-’08 budget, and seek mid-year solutions to solving its being underfunded due to a substantial shortfall in predicted revenue.
Chopping out a billion bucks is a great first step. And frankly, that should be noted, and applauded.
As a fiscal conservative, I wished that yesterday’s package included more actual cuts to more programs, and less in terms of borrowing and such. But I will take a billion in cuts at face value and a good start given that California Democrats are way out of practice when it comes to doing any of reducing of spending.
The Governor actually set the bar higher, asking for more cuts, and he’ll eventually get his way – because you cannot spend what you don’t have (or can you?).
In closing, the Governor will sign a billion in cuts today. Tomorrow he should immediately reissue another request for another round of mid-year cuts. If we don’t make more cuts now, it will only make things worse this summer.
February 17th, 2008 at 12:00 am
The budget “cuts” are not real cuts. The budget over-growth from previous years still exceeds the rate of inflation and population growth. The “cuts” merely canceled out some token overcharges.
Let’s remember the goal is to reverse the epidemic over-spending of your and my billions of dollars.