While we’re getting all-too accustomed to government debt and spending numbers in the billions it’s important to remember that millions still mean something. But speaking of billions, got them covered. The budget shortfall in the state is $41.6 billion. That’s $41,600,000,000, the largest shortfall in the country.
When looking at the state’s budget laws, it would seem strange that things could get so out of hand. provides several guiding boundaries to prevent out of control budgets and to contain any egregious fund appropriation before funds exist. From :
viagra online[...] discussed that California has the largest state budget shortfall in the US, topping at $41.6 billion dollars. Solutions are still being discussed after the governor’s proposal to cut public employee [...]
One glaring fact of governmental finance is that there is no comprehensive and understandable summary of all that goes on. Granted, it’d be a huge effort. But, the consequence of not budgeting appropriately for revenues in light of expenditures is this fiscal emergency.
Currently, there does not appear to be a significant effort to budget sustainably. Revenues, namely property taxes, can fluctuate heavily from year-to-year, yet public agencies use those funds for many types of general expenditures. As specific revenues increased, so did the size of public agencies, irrespective to the nature of the revenues. Yet, as revenues dry up, what remains is are bloated, overgrown organizations.
An example of this in action is for education in California. School are funded primarily by the state, but subsidized by property taxes in each county. For the last 3 years, education payments are deferred, causing public schools, especially charter schools to manage difficult cashflow issues. My point here is to question specifically how property taxes relate to funding education. As the market fluctuates, should the quality and breadth of our educational offerings fluctuate accordingly? This seems to be the code set in law, or at least what is practiced.
As it stands, the budgetary process is very reactive. Reactive to special interests, political interests, and now to the fiscal ‘emergency’ that is upon the state. As stated in the article, “it’s time to rip off the band aid”. I interpret that statement as it is time to endure a bit of hardship for long-term gain. I agree with this in theory. Yet, practically, it is tough for citizens to trust in long-term gains when the political environment and rhetoric remains woefully shortsighted.
I’ve been trying to wrap my head around this budget situation for sometime, and always return to conclude that citizens can and should “act locally” with cities and counties. Citizens should come to expect effective and efficient governance, rather than settle for such mismanagement.