YOU Solve the Budget Mess

The Los Angeles Times has come out with an interactive widget that lets users solve the budget crisis using suggested cuts or taxes.....I can tell you now...it ain't easy!!

You start with a $24-billion deficit and start cutting programs, benefits, etc., or you add taxes and fees (and we know our Republican holdouts in the Legislature will never go for this).

It's an eye-opening experience and illustrates just how massive the deficit is. For instance:

• Cutting funding for state parks, a proposal that has gotten much media hype recently, only reduces the budget by $70-million. A drop in the bucket when you're up against $24 Billion!
• Eliminating ALL new Cal Grants saves $200-million.
• Closing the ENTIRE community college system...all 100 campuses (affecting 2.6 million students)...will only provide $4.6-billion...there's still over $19-billion left!

Whew!

Let's look at proposed senior cuts according to the widget:

• There are a number of general MediCal cuts that will affect some Seniors (but mostly poor children) that add up to almost $1-billion. I suppose these include the cuts in breast and cervical cancer treatment for Seniors and Immigrants that add up to around $34-million.
• Eliminating in-home services for 440,000 elderly and disabled will possibly provide $5.4-billion, however it would force these people into nursing homes and drive up MediCal costs. So what is the net? Who knows?
• Reducing the wages of in-home service workers to minimum wage saves $115-million. Huh? Why are these state workers being hit harder than other folk -- say legislators and their staffs?
• And, in the truly ridiculous category....the state could save $250-million by reducing SSI- (Supplemental Security Income) to the level used in 1983!!! $830.00 a month!! Now remember, SSI is designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people who have little or no income to meet their basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. Who can live on $830.00 a month?
  

So....if I have to pay extra for a Margarita....or to register my car....or to go to an amusement park, then YES I will find a way....However, there will still be cuts!! But before we turn our Seniors to the streets, or warehouse style nursing homes with poor care....let's make sure we've gotten rid of bloated boards, commissions, staffs, and state salaries.