Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger traveled to Washington D.C. today begging for additional federal bailout money after California voters roundly rejected several “revenue enhancing” measures designed to bridge the state’s $21 billion budget gap.
California, which as we’ve noted in the past is the world’s eighth-largest economy, is not unlike the world’s second largest economy (America) in that it refuses to live within its means.
Of course, never fear … Uncle Sam is here.
From the LA Times:
The governor was informed that California remains eligible to receive another $8 billion in stimulus money for its Medicaid program, the one bright spot for state officials after voters on Tuesday soundly defeated five ballot measures aimed at closing California’s huge budget shortfall.
Damn … that was fast. It really does grow on trees in DC, doesn’t it?
And obviously, pouring more money into Medicaid is going to fix everything!
The good news is that no matter what happens in this situation, a government that grew far beyond its means for years is now receiving a long-overdue pruning.
If only the same could be said here in South Carolina.
Schwarzenegger says he received voters’ message “loud and clear.”
That remains to be seen …
By James the Foot Soldier May 20, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Arnold’s capacity to hear the voters message loud and clear is as large as his steroid shrunken penis….
but i digress…..
what we have here is….
BLUE STATE HELL
Their 21 Billion budget hole is AFTER the injection of California’s share of Federal stimulus money. All those budget cuts coming down the L.A. turnpike this summer will negate any impact from the Federal money – thus spoiling President Obama’s grand plan.
That this is happening to the biggest RINO governor in the land is even more fun to watch.
By roofus May 20, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Let’s face it, the rest of the country will bail out California…we’re living on the backs of our kids and grandkids…
By roofus May 20, 2009 at 9:39 pm
Obama needs California to go blue (along with NY) to win in 2012…CA and NY will leech off the rest of us … It’s all about 2012, baby!
By Old Bike Dude May 21, 2009 at 7:07 am
This is why I’m advocating the secession of Texas(Tejas), Arizona, and New Mexico…hell throw in Louisianna to boot. Take all the money these 4 have been sucking off the Gov and send it California. Build an oil terminal in Charleston, a shipping terminal in Jasper, and voi-effin-la, you’ve solved The Terminators problem.
By liz May 21, 2009 at 8:31 am
Considering there is an entire ghost medicaid system and associated subsidized part d accounts in THIS state, I’m betting California has the same deal going on…. Gotta finance the people ripping off the system, you know.
8 billion for Medicaid…. ummmmm….. and all the subsidies that go to private insurance companies yes yes yes