2008 Woodie Awards
Governor: Half the State Budget Applied to Education
Ariel Adrian
Issue date: 1/19/05 Section: News
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In his second State of the State address delivered Jan. 5, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger challenged California's legislators to adopt his agenda and to reform state government.
Should they fail to do so, the Governor said that he would call a special election in summer 2005 to put his propagandas directly before the people.
BUDGET DEFICIT
The governor addressed the fact that the state is spending more money than it brings in.
The deficit for 2005-2006 fiscal year is expected to be $8.1 billion.
"Our revenue increases by more than $5 billion, but our spending increases by over $10 billion," Schwarzenegger said.
The governor said he plans to submit legislation to cut expenditures when they grow above revenues.
PENSION OBLIGATIONS
Calling California's state pension system a financial disaster, Schwarzenegger said he will set up a public pension system that is fair to employees and to taxpayers.
"California's pension obligations have risen from $160 million in 2000 to $2.6 billion this year," Schwarzenegger said.
To achieve a fair public pension system for employees and taxpayers, California must move from a defined benefit to a defined contribution system, Schwarzenegger said.
EDUCATION
Schwarzenegger vowed to reform the current education system to financially reward good teachers and dismiss incompetent ones.
Schwarzenegger said around half the state's budget is dedicated to education. This year, California is spending $2.9 billion more than last year on K-14.
Yet, 30 percent of high school students do not graduate, he said.
The budget proposed by Schwarzenegger includes growth funding, which will provide 61,800 more Californians with access to community colleges, he said.
The administration proposed an adjustment that provides $184.5 million to fully fund Cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) increases for community college apportionments, and $11.1 million to provide COLA increases for categorical programs providing essential services to special populations.
Should they fail to do so, the Governor said that he would call a special election in summer 2005 to put his propagandas directly before the people.
BUDGET DEFICIT
The governor addressed the fact that the state is spending more money than it brings in.
The deficit for 2005-2006 fiscal year is expected to be $8.1 billion.
"Our revenue increases by more than $5 billion, but our spending increases by over $10 billion," Schwarzenegger said.
The governor said he plans to submit legislation to cut expenditures when they grow above revenues.
PENSION OBLIGATIONS
Calling California's state pension system a financial disaster, Schwarzenegger said he will set up a public pension system that is fair to employees and to taxpayers.
"California's pension obligations have risen from $160 million in 2000 to $2.6 billion this year," Schwarzenegger said.
To achieve a fair public pension system for employees and taxpayers, California must move from a defined benefit to a defined contribution system, Schwarzenegger said.
EDUCATION
Schwarzenegger vowed to reform the current education system to financially reward good teachers and dismiss incompetent ones.
Schwarzenegger said around half the state's budget is dedicated to education. This year, California is spending $2.9 billion more than last year on K-14.
Yet, 30 percent of high school students do not graduate, he said.
The budget proposed by Schwarzenegger includes growth funding, which will provide 61,800 more Californians with access to community colleges, he said.
The administration proposed an adjustment that provides $184.5 million to fully fund Cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) increases for community college apportionments, and $11.1 million to provide COLA increases for categorical programs providing essential services to special populations.