The Governor released a new video urging Californians to support his effort to balance the state budget without tax increases and by eliminating "waste, fraud and abuse" from state government. While the video covers no new ground, it reinforces the themes the Governor has been raising and tries to solidify new support the Governor has gained since the June 30th budget meltdown. You can see the video by going to www.standforca.com.

Sadly, the Governor is making misleading claims about the budget negotiations. He claims that Democrats are demanding tax increases that will drive businesses out of California. The two main tax provisions, the tobacco tax increase and the oil severance tax, were removed before the floor votes in late June by the Democratic leadership in an attempt to gain Republican support. Perhaps the Governor is referring to the rollback of the corporate loopholes handed out in February to appease Republican members. Or perhaps he is referring to the Amazon use tax loophole that the conference budget closes.

The Governor fails to tell the viewer that he actually proposed the oil severance tax in his budget or how a $1.50 increase in the tobacco tax will run businesses out of California. What the Governor wants to do is force revenue out of the budget discussion so that he can win more cuts to education and social services. If revenue is inlcuded in the final budget, it reduces the leverage the Governor has to inflict permanent damage to California government.

Progress has been reported in recent budget discussions though no major decisions have been reached. 1 of the 21 items the Governor insists be seriously considered is the proposal to privatize eligibility functions for CalWORKs, Food Stamps and MediCal. While web-based access to public benefits can be beneficial to applicants and recipients, it still takes a human being to listen to families and resolve issues. The Governor's proposal is under consideration even though several states, notably, Indiana, Florida and Texas have had disastrous experiences when their eligibility systems were privatized. Here is a link to a story about the ongoing crisis in Indiana: http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20090712/EDIT07/307129948/1147/EDIT07 

This Friday is the newest "deadline" for completing work on the budget. Technically, the Legislature is supposed to go on a four week summer recess starting this Friday. Like many other deadlines, this one will be probably not compel action since members of the Legislature are used to having their summer break interrupted. One wizened member was heard praying "for just a week off before we come back for the last month." Unfortunately that sounds all too right.

NPR is running a series of pieces this week on the California budget crisis on both the "Morning Edition" and on "All Things Considered." According to Kelly Weiss, a reporter for Capitol Public Radio, the series will include an updated version of the piece Weiss did about a month ago about a Parent Voice's family struggle to make it on CalWORKs. It is supposed to be on this afternoon's "All Things Considered." Check it out.