Schwarzenegger Plans to Slash Spending

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is again attempting to eliminate the state’s welfare-to-work program as his Republican administration tries to cut spending while not raising taxes, a move slated to save $1.6 billion at the expense of 1.3 million poor people.

Other programs vulnerable to Schwarzenegger’s Conan-esque sword include spending for public schools, state funding of local mental health programs, and government-sponsored child care for the poor.

If the governor’s plan passes, California will become the only state to not have a welfare-to-work program, which itself is a bastardization of the previous welfare system gutted by the Clinton administration. –JCL

The Los Angeles Times:

Proposing a budget that would eliminate the state’s welfare-to-work program and most child care for the poor, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Friday outlined a stark vision of a California that would sharply limit aid to some of its poorest and neediest citizens.

His $83.4-billion plan would also freeze funding for local schools, further cut state workers’ pay and take away 60% of state money for local mental health programs. State parks and higher education are among the few areas the governor’s proposal would spare.

The proposal, which would not raise taxes, also relies on $3.4 billion in help from Washington — roughly half of what the governor sought earlier this year — to help close a budget gap now estimated at $19.1 billion. Billions more would be saved through accounting moves and fund shifts.

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