California on 'verge of system failure’

06-19-2010 • theglobeandmail.com

California’s fiscal hole is now so large that the state would have to liberate 168,000 prison inmates and permanently shutter 240 university and community college campuses to balance its budget in the fiscal year that begins July 1. California is looking at a gap of $19-billion (U.S.) this year and $37-billion next year on a roughly $125-billion-a-year budget. Local governments, including the City of Los Angeles, are in similarly dire financial straits and are now scrambling to shed workers and services.

1 Comments in Response to California on 'verge of system failure’

Comment by Olde Reb

Entered on: 6/21/2010 9:19:37 AM

How much higher is the pay scale (and perks) for state employees than for workers in similar non-government jobs ?

How much higher is the pay scale for public school (and university) employees than similar employees in non-government supported jobs ?

Now much more is the cost per student in public schools than for students in private schools ?

How much higher is the pay scale for state contracted (union) labor jobs (such as road construction) than for similar (non-union) jobs without government funding ?

How much does the state spend on welfare, ADC, free school meals, tuition for free schooling, medical expenses for identified individuals, subsidized housing, etc.?

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