Austerity Arrives in Califoria: 'You Name It, We've Got To Cut It,' says Governor

05-17-2012 • http://www.commondreams.org, Common Dreams staff r

Democractic Governor Jerry Brown has proposed $8.3 billion in cuts to the California budget across education, health care and welfare programs in a plan he says could help close the state's near $16 billion shortfall. Brown said more cuts should be expected if voters reject proposed tax increases that will be up for a statewide vote in November.

"You name it," he declared during an address on Monday, "and we've got to cut it!"

California, the world's ninth largest economy, has suffered financially alongside many other states over the last several years, but because of its sheer size, the state of its economy reveberates not only across the nation, but across the world. The proposed cuts, as the governor indicates, are across all sectors of public spending, including deep reductions to education, health care, public safety, and infrastructure.