by Robert in Monterey [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

The AP has gotten a hold of the governor's May Revise speech and therefore the major budget proposals that are to be unveiled tomorrow. The key elements are described below and over the flip I provide my immediate analysis.

• Arnold will float bonds using the state lottery as security. $15 billion over 3 years will be raised but $10 billion goes into "rainy day fund"
• If that fails, 1% sales tax hike to last no more than 3 years
• Prop 98 suspension abandoned; instead COLA will not be paid
• State parks closures abandoned; instead fees to rise $1 to $2
• $6 billion still left to cut or balance out somehow."

Analysis below...

by Julia Rosen [courtesy of Working Californians blogs]

Here is a clear sign that the speculation about Arnold's intentions in proposing a grossly unacceptable budget has some merit. He told the SacBee that he does not expect that they actually close the 48 parks he had called to close in his budget.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Wednesday he proposed closing 48 state parks to "rattle the cage" at the Capitol, but fully expects lawmakers to come forward with alternatives -- including higher fees -- to keep parks open.

"The budget is always a proposal ... There's the reality, and the reality will rattle the cage," Schwarzenegger said during a meeting Wednesday on a wide range of issues with the Bee's editorial board.

Last week the governor released a $101 billion general fund spending plan that was balanced largely through government spending reductions. Closing 48 state parks would eliminate 136 positions and help the parks department save 8.9 percent of its budget -- or $13.3 million.

That is $13.3 million out of a $15 billion budget deficit. This was a very high profile proposal, with little fiscal gain, designed to fire up people. It worked.

Current analysis suggests that increasing fees will drive down attendance exacerbating the problem, not solving it.

by atdleft [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

Remember when Susan Davis' amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill passed the House Armed Services Committee? Remember that this is the amendment that ensures that the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA), Orange County's toll road authority, complies with state environmental laws, which means that a toll road can't be built through San Onofre State Beach to Trestles? Remember that the bill moved on to the US Senate after it passed the House?

Well, we have a new problem. One of our own Senators, Dianne Feinstein, is undecided on adding something like the Davis Amendment to the Senate's Defense Authorization Bill. I guess she's not sure yet whether California state environmental law is important enough to be enforced.

Follow me after the flip to find out what YOU can do to ensure that Senator Feinstein votes to enforce the law, protect our coast, and respect the integrity of our parks...