Governor proposes $125.6 billion budget

[realFedUp]

http://www.sacbee.com/content/politics/ca/budget/story/14057611p-14888764c.html

Governor proposes $125.6 billion budget

By Clea Benson -- Bee Capitol Bureau
Published 1:22 pm PST Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tuesday proposed a $125.6 billion state budget that would use a windfall of new tax revenue to increase school funding and pay back debt.

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Schwarzenegger also recommended a decrease of about $150 million in next year's budget for welfare services - and suggested taking back more than $100 million that the state gave counties for welfare programs this year.

The news set off alarm bells among advocates for the poor and county officials, who criticized the governor's choice to cut social programs despite the influx in revenue.

"In a year where the economy is strong and the budget picture is brightening, it is distressing to see that once again the poor, the elderly and disabled, and the county services they depend upon are on the chopping block," said Frank Mecca, director of the County Welfare Directors Association. "If we can make unprecedented investments in infrastructure and education, then surely we can do better by low income families, poor children, and elderly and disabled adults."

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