Schwarzenegger Threatens Veto Power for State Budget

According to a press release from the California state capitol, Arnold Schwarzenegger, California's governor, needs the state to pass the budget as important social programs tend to suffer due to the impasse. The state's budget is over a month and half overdue.

"I am calling on the Senate to come together and pass this budget. I have committed to a zero operating deficit - I will use my executive authority to ensure fiscal responsibility in state spending," said Governor Schwarzenegger in a press statement. Schwarzenegger made this statement from the Community Care and Rehabilitation Center, a Riverside, California residency that relies on state funding to operate. He was taking a first hand look at how budget impasses directly affect people. The rehab center is a place where people recovering from a major hospital stay or need hospice care can receive it from trained nurses and doctors.

As of now, the Community Care and Rehabilitation Center is owed almost ¼ of a million dollars from the state to operate. It has been forced to take out interest loans in order to sustain its operational ability. If the center doesn't receive funding, they may not be able to give their patients quality care. There is no line of credit left for the center and no funding to pay upcoming bills.

This isn't the only place in California suffering from no state budget. $2.1 billion in state payments have been withheld-just in this month alone. Nursing homes, child care centers, hospitals, and community colleges are at risk to no longer operate, effectively removing services for state workers. Important programs like domestic-violence services can also face losses.

Schwarzenegger further noted these possibilities. "The budget impasse is affecting real people, those who are vulnerable and depend on state funded facilities to survive, and I will do everything in my power to keep the state functioning. California's budget stalemate must end so we can get back to work serving our citizens."

The public safety and education portions of the budget were passed in July. $2.5 billion in debt as well as $700 million in spending were approved and will be signed by Schwarzenegger once the documents reach his desk. The state's reserve is now increased to $4billion, but part of the proposal was to limit the spending growth to less than 1%.

Schwarzenegger was elected to the governor position in 2003 via a recall election intended to replace Gray Davis. He was reelected in 2006, defeating then-California State Treasurer Phil Angelides.

SOURCE:

www.california.gov

URL:

http://gov.ca.gov/index.php?/press-release/7170/