This story was reported for San Diego News Network on December 3, 2009.
Low-vision Californians, public-private court houses and Ganja University? Just read on …
Low funds for low-vision Californians: Those with low-vision and who rely on state assistance are no longer covered by the California government.
According to a San Jose Mercury News article, lawmakers axed evaluations optometry services for some this budget cycle.
“California’s budget fiasco this year resulted in the elimination of optometry and optical services for adults 21 years and older, though there are exceptions for residents of nursing homes. As a result, those who least can afford health care coverage are no longer covered for low-vision evaluations and aids, leaving them at greater risk for injuries, accidents and depression.”
The Mercury reporter notes that this problem could become more severe over the years as California gets older.
“Their [low-vision Californians] numbers are expected to grow, too, as the elderly population grows, because low vision is typically caused by age-related conditions such as macular degeneration, diabetes, brain or eye injury, or conditions at birth such as albinism.”
In July, the state eliminated about $2 billion in health services to Californians.
Private-public court house: In an effort to save the state some cash, California’s Administrative Office of the Courts will look into building a private courthouse in Long Beach.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the “planned public-private partnership” is estimated to be about $300 million.
“California’s Administrative Office of the Courts will consider financial proposals due Dec. 9 from three private consortia selected as finalists to design, build, operate and maintain the proposed new Long Beach courthouse.
State officials contend the deal would mark the first U.S. courthouse to be financed and built through such an arrangement.”
Because of budget cuts, court cases have been delayed and the San Diego Superior Court began suspending traffic night court at its East County facility in El Cajon on Wednesday.
Marijuana class: In an interesting opinion piece, the staff of Daily 49er says California lawmakers “need a class at Ganja U…” or in layman’s terms, a university that offers “training” in the marijuana industry.
“Every day California legislators putter around the issue of decriminalizing marijuana is another day spent squandering economic opportunities. Facing another year of deep budget deficits that will negatively impact education, labor and social services, the state can hardly afford to let this potential cash crop disappear in a plume of smoke.”
They argue that lawmakers should use this crisis as a sign to legalize marijuana but also “place controls” on the herb.
“California has its own ganja university system – Oaksterdam University – dedicated to the business end of marijuana. The progressive two-year-old college’s curriculum includes horticulture, canna-business, methods of ingestion, political science and biology.
“California’s tax chief estimates the state could earn $1.3 billion or more per year in taxes, and the number of jobs that could be created would make an enormous dent in our unemployment lines. The estimated taxes from a product that grows so cheaply could fill the entire California State University budget hole.”
Oaksterdam University was founded in 2007 and has three campuses in California.
Hoa Quach is the political editor for San Diego News Network.