GOP Budget Cuts: Environment, Parks, Dentists and Welfare

by Julia Rosen [courtesy of Working Californians blogs]

There is no real change in the political situation on the budget in the past day. The Republicans are still pledging to stick together on their $842 million in deep cuts to the budget and the Democrats are united against it. Perata is now calling the Republican's actions "fiscal terrorism". Meanwhile, more details on what exactly the Republicans have proposed to slash emerged.

One of the biggest is their end around attempt to try and stop Attorney General Jerry Brown from going after polluters. It is something they can't accomplish in the normal legislative process, so they are trying to do it through the budget. They want to restrict his ability to enforce the landmark greenhouse gas bill AB 32. All of the major environmental groups issued a joint statement titled "Senate Republicans Declare Open Season on the Environment". LAT:

The coalition warned that a demand by the lawmakers to restrict enforcement of a landmark law passed last year to curb greenhouse gases "is a radical departure from established state policy." Business interests "want a moratorium now while they delay and obstruct regulation in the future."

The Republicans also want to slash another $15 million from our state park's maintenance fund. State Parks is already woefully behind on maintenance and this will only further degrade our parks.

Some of the other cuts the Republicans have proposed would take away federal matching funds, doubling the loss and others could run afoul of legal rulings. The CPB has been speaking out against the welfare cuts.

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