This story was reported for the San Diego News Network on July 16, 2009.
Dear Diary, I know I only write to you three times a week but so much is happening that I just have to tell you about…. I mean the Democrats filed a complaint against Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the UC school system announced major layoffs and the Big 5 say they’re getting closer to a budget agreement. So here goes, Diary…here’s what’s happening…
Overtime and the ABCs: The Big 5 (Schwarzenegger and party leaders) mulled over budget talks
Wednesday night as they worked on how to deal with California’s education sector. Initially, Schwarzenegger proposed to suspend Proposition 98, which guarantees 40 percent of the state’s general fund revenue to public schools — however, leaders are concerned that the State may not be able to pay back the funds should the Prop be suspended.
Should two-thirds of the legislators choose to make this move, it will be the third time the proposition has been suspended since its enactment in 1988.
After Thursday morning meetings, Schwarzenegger addressed the possible suspension again of the Proposition and the halt it has put on reaching an agreement.
“You know, negotiations stall and sometimes new things come up and one has to reassess, and then you continue on again,” Schwarzenegger told reporters outside his Capitol office. “There’s a will there in this building for both parties to get this done. I have not seen anything else, and so we are going to make an effort again to get it started again.”
Schwarzenegger had yet to talk with the Democratic leaders by midday Thursday, and no official meetings had been scheduled.
Dems’ complaint over ad: California’s Democratic Party filed a complaint against Schwarzenegger Wednesday over his “Stand for California” commercial. The commercial, which is paid through Schwarzenegger’s campaign offices, violates state regulations, Democrats claim. The Dems filed the complaint to the State’s Fair Political Practices commission, stating it violates the law that prohibits campaign funds be use for non-ballot measures.
Schwarzenegger’s 60-second commercial allows the Governor to defend himself from attacks while asking viewers to “Stand for California” with him.
UC board approves cuts: The University of California’s governing board has approved an emergency budget plan that will force tens of thousands of employees to take furloughs and pay cuts.
The UC Board of Regents voted Thursday to furlough up to 80 percent of the university’s 180,000 workers to help address a $813 million budget shortfall caused by a deep cut in state funding.
The board’s finance committee approved the proposal Wednesday.
Under the plan, employees will see their salaries reduced by 4 percent to 10 percent and take between 11 and 26 furlough days a year, starting Sept. 1.
Senate break: The State Senate has recessed for the week and plan to reconvene on Monday. However, because the budget negotiations are still ongoing – the Senate may be called to the Sacramento chambers prior to Monday.
Chiang to San Diego: California Controller John Chiang will be in San Diego to offer his thoughts on the State’s economic meltdown. He will speak at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce’s “San Diego Good Government” series.
Chiang will be accompanied by UC Chancellor Marye Anne Fox, who will speak about the economic impact to the statewide school system.
SDSU cuts: SDSU will have to take an estimated $35 million budget cut, its share of the California State University system’s $584 million cut. However, the $35 million is pending on a 20 percent fee increase — should the increase not take place, the University’s budget cut would be about $48 million.
In an email to faculty members, women’s studies professor Anne Donadey said these cuts would be permanent.
“As I see it, legislators and the Governor are taking advantage of the economic crisis to downsize California’s public system of higher education by slashing our budgets, which is leading us to lowering enrollments and therefore reducing access of Californians to the education that would allow them entrance into or continued middle-class status,” stated Donadey in the email.
She goes on to state that furloughs are “one-time solutions.”
Associated Press writers contributed to this report. Hoa Quach is the political editor for the San Diego News Network.