State of the California economy is critical

[DLaw911]

This has been coming for a long time. Voters approved measure after measure including 3-strikes, life without parole, Megan's Law, Jessica's Law, sexually violent predator act, Proposition 13 (to limit property taxes), and a host of other laws having no funding attached.

Like (as far as I know) all other States, CA is required to have a balanced budget. Of course we also have an unbalanced governator who believes in balancing the budget by cutting services and stealing money from local cities.

Here are just a few of the problems created (in no special order):

The Orange County Sheriff has been hit so hard that undersheriff's had to be terminated and court staff drastically cut. This morning I went to the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana. There are normally 4-5 operating screening machines staffed by 3-4 deputies each. Because of the cuts only one was in operation. The line for people to get in stretched around the entire block and the waiting time was in excess of 2 hours. Jurors could not get in. Defendants could not get in. As a result some cases had to be dismissed, others continued, and in a few cases judges did not even take the bench until the afternoon. And there are no plans to reopen the additional screening stations. And now the courts are closing one day per month, thus adding to overcrowded courtrooms. Also, because of lack of courtroom bailiffs, several courtrooms are no longer handling custody cases and judges are under pressure to summarily release inmates so they can appear on their own recognizance.

In Los Angeles County the Sheriff is planning on closing 50% of the LA County jail (the Wayside Ranch which consists of 5 facilities). Another facility, the Men's Central Jail, due to demolition and rebuilding, has been put on hold. Overcrowding is so bad now that inmates with sentences of 180 days or less are released summarily. Anything over 180 days is served at 10%. Once Wayside closes the Sheriff intends to release ALL inmates except those held with NO bail, which is legal in only a fraction of cases (normally sentenced felons awaiting transfer to state prison). Additionally, due to understaffing of bailiffs, the LA Superior Court has had to close 6 courthouses. Of the remaining courthouses, over 50 courtrooms sit empty and unsued because there is no money to pay for Judges and court security.

The State of CA now imposes huge mandatory penalties and fees on criminal convictions. A first DUI, for example, that comes with a $390 fine, actually costs $2,100.00. As a result defendants are electing to go to jail (knowing they will be released immediately) rather than pay the fines. Because of this the State is actually losing money rather than gaining.

DMV, already the worst place on earth due to long lines, is now being cut back by 5 days per month PLUS elimination of Saturday service. Persons with expiring licenses are now being given automatic 5 years extensions, no questions asked, just to keep them away from DMV. Those persons facing DMV hearings for DUI arrests are having decisions delayed by 5-6 months during which time they are allowed to legally drive. A number of DMV officers are trying to get second jobs as the 25% in their pay is causing many to default on mortgages.

The CDCR (State Prison) is also facing furlough days for prison guards, thus compromising safety of a system already under court order to depopulate by over 50%.

State lifeguards have been cut 50% and many beaches are now off limits for swimmers.

Local police agencies have been laying off officers. One local agency laid off 25% of it's officers resulting in the dismissals of hundreds of traffic and criminal cases.

And then there are the fire departments which are also not immune and which have to cut personnel.

Services to the elderly and the disabled have been slashed, as well as cuts in education funding.

And there is no end in sight. I feel sorry for the next governor to take over in this State because, like Obama, he or she is going to inherit a mess.

[CaptainPike]

This has been coming for a long time. Voters approved measure after measure including 3-strikes, life without parole, Megan's Law, Jessica's Law, sexually violent predator act, Proposition 13 (to limit property taxes), and a host of other laws having no funding attached.

Like (as far as I know) all other States, CA is required to have a balanced budget. Of course we also have an unbalanced governator who believes in balancing the budget by cutting services and stealing money from local cities.

Here are just a few of the problems created (in no special order):

The Orange County Sheriff has been hit so hard that undersheriff's had to be terminated and court staff drastically cut. This morning I went to the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana. There are normally 4-5 operating screening machines staffed by 3-4 deputies each. Because of the cuts only one was in operation. The line for people to get in stretched around the entire block and the waiting time was in excess of 2 hours. Jurors could not get in. Defendants could not get in. As a result some cases had to be dismissed, others continued, and in a few cases judges did not even take the bench until the afternoon. And there are no plans to reopen the additional screening stations. And now the courts are closing one day per month, thus adding to overcrowded courtrooms. Also, because of lack of courtroom bailiffs, several courtrooms are no longer handling custody cases and judges are under pressure to summarily release inmates so they can appear on their own recognizance.

In Los Angeles County the Sheriff is planning on closing 50% of the LA County jail (the Wayside Ranch which consists of 5 facilities). Another facility, the Men's Central Jail, due to demolition and rebuilding, has been put on hold. Overcrowding is so bad now that inmates with sentences of 180 days or less are released summarily. Anything over 180 days is served at 10%. Once Wayside closes the Sheriff intends to release ALL inmates except those held with NO bail, which is legal in only a fraction of cases (normally sentenced felons awaiting transfer to state prison). Additionally, due to understaffing of bailiffs, the LA Superior Court has had to close 6 courthouses. Of the remaining courthouses, over 50 courtrooms sit empty and unsued because there is no money to pay for Judges and court security.

The State of CA now imposes huge mandatory penalties and fees on criminal convictions. A first DUI, for example, that comes with a $390 fine, actually costs $2,100.00. As a result defendants are electing to go to jail (knowing they will be released immediately) rather than pay the fines. Because of this the State is actually losing money rather than gaining.

DMV, already the worst place on earth due to long lines, is now being cut back by 5 days per month PLUS elimination of Saturday service. Persons with expiring licenses are now being given automatic 5 years extensions, no questions asked, just to keep them away from DMV. Those persons facing DMV hearings for DUI arrests are having decisions delayed by 5-6 months during which time they are allowed to legally drive. A number of DMV officers are trying to get second jobs as the 25% in their pay is causing many to default on mortgages.

The CDCR (State Prison) is also facing furlough days for prison guards, thus compromising safety of a system already under court order to depopulate by over 50%.

State lifeguards have been cut 50% and many beaches are now off limits for swimmers.

Local police agencies have been laying off officers. One local agency laid off 25% of it's officers resulting in the dismissals of hundreds of traffic and criminal cases.

And then there are the fire departments which are also not immune and which have to cut personnel.

Services to the elderly and the disabled have been slashed, as well as cuts in education funding.

And there is no end in sight. I feel sorry for the next governor to take over in this State because, like Obama, he or she is going to inherit a mess.

I propose we sell California to China and use the money to pay off our debt.

[DLaw911]

I propose we sell California to China and use the money to pay off our debt.China already owns the US.

[The Constitution's Heart]

California is an embarassment to this country. As are Oregon, Washington State, Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Illinois & now Virginia. Washington DC is at the epicenter of this embarassment.

Actually, let me put it this way - all blue states are embarassments.

[CaptainPike]

California is an embarassment to this country. As are Oregon, Washington State, Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Illinois & now Virginia. Washington DC is at the epicenter of this embarassment.

Actually, let me put it this way - all blue states are embarassments.

Sounds like a good way to get rid of some debt. Except for Vermont. May as well make that a parking lot.

[CaughtInTheMiddle]

California is an embarassment to this country. As are Oregon, Washington State, Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Illinois & now Virginia. Washington DC is at the epicenter of this embarassment.

Actually, let me put it this way - all blue states are embarassments.

Wow, I don't think I've ever seen a player throw so many of his teammates under the bus at one time. That's Terrell Owens like.

[The Constitution's Heart]

Liberalism stands in the way of Capitalism. America needs to become the Ultimate Capitalist Republic - the way it was meant to be. We need to create wealth - not government jobs & meaningless programs. Blue States in our electoral college are an obstacle. They must be changed to red states over time. Although it may be deemed an impossibility, it is a super long-term goal that conservative America needs to push to achieve.

California & Vermont are deep blue. We need to fix that!

[stoked]

Thanks for the update. I feel alot more doom coming for California.

[stoked]

Unfortunately, for the people who work for the states and cities, it's welcome to the real world now. For us, this downfall has been going on since the dot com bust, and guess what, it's not going to get better; there is nothing to recover to because of all the outsourcing and importation of labor. We're done.

[The Constitution's Heart]

I made a YTMND to respond to liberalism/socialism that is trying to take over our country.

*Contains Music, Turn On Speakers*

http://rightwingamerica.ytmnd.com

[malnila]

This has been coming for a long time. Voters approved measure after measure including 3-strikes, life without parole, Megan's Law, Jessica's Law, sexually violent predator act, Proposition 13 (to limit property taxes), and a host of other laws having no funding attached.

Like (as far as I know) all other States, CA is required to have a balanced budget. Of course we also have an unbalanced governator who believes in balancing the budget by cutting services and stealing money from local cities.

Here are just a few of the problems created (in no special order):

The Orange County Sheriff has been hit so hard that undersheriff's had to be terminated and court staff drastically cut. This morning I went to the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana. There are normally 4-5 operating screening machines staffed by 3-4 deputies each. Because of the cuts only one was in operation. The line for people to get in stretched around the entire block and the waiting time was in excess of 2 hours. Jurors could not get in. Defendants could not get in. As a result some cases had to be dismissed, others continued, and in a few cases judges did not even take the bench until the afternoon. And there are no plans to reopen the additional screening stations. And now the courts are closing one day per month, thus adding to overcrowded courtrooms. Also, because of lack of courtroom bailiffs, several courtrooms are no longer handling custody cases and judges are under pressure to summarily release inmates so they can appear on their own recognizance.

In Los Angeles County the Sheriff is planning on closing 50% of the LA County jail (the Wayside Ranch which consists of 5 facilities). Another facility, the Men's Central Jail, due to demolition and rebuilding, has been put on hold. Overcrowding is so bad now that inmates with sentences of 180 days or less are released summarily. Anything over 180 days is served at 10%. Once Wayside closes the Sheriff intends to release ALL inmates except those held with NO bail, which is legal in only a fraction of cases (normally sentenced felons awaiting transfer to state prison). Additionally, due to understaffing of bailiffs, the LA Superior Court has had to close 6 courthouses. Of the remaining courthouses, over 50 courtrooms sit empty and unsued because there is no money to pay for Judges and court security.

The State of CA now imposes huge mandatory penalties and fees on criminal convictions. A first DUI, for example, that comes with a $390 fine, actually costs $2,100.00. As a result defendants are electing to go to jail (knowing they will be released immediately) rather than pay the fines. Because of this the State is actually losing money rather than gaining.

DMV, already the worst place on earth due to long lines, is now being cut back by 5 days per month PLUS elimination of Saturday service. Persons with expiring licenses are now being given automatic 5 years extensions, no questions asked, just to keep them away from DMV. Those persons facing DMV hearings for DUI arrests are having decisions delayed by 5-6 months during which time they are allowed to legally drive. A number of DMV officers are trying to get second jobs as the 25% in their pay is causing many to default on mortgages.

The CDCR (State Prison) is also facing furlough days for prison guards, thus compromising safety of a system already under court order to depopulate by over 50%.

State lifeguards have been cut 50% and many beaches are now off limits for swimmers.

Local police agencies have been laying off officers. One local agency laid off 25% of it's officers resulting in the dismissals of hundreds of traffic and criminal cases.

And then there are the fire departments which are also not immune and which have to cut personnel.

Services to the elderly and the disabled have been slashed, as well as cuts in education funding.

And there is no end in sight. I feel sorry for the next governor to take over in this State because, like Obama, he or she is going to inherit a mess.

LOL - You forgot the "rolling brownouts" for fire stations. A few different fire stations throughout the City of Los Angeles will be completely closed. Those areas to be covered by other areas. The city isn't even nice enough to tell us what stations on what days. Heaven forbid they notify us so in case of an emergency, we can load our loved one in a car and take them to emergency instead of waiting to see if our local station will respond or not. :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

I know this is a city issue but it stems from the guvenator takin more of local taxes away from cities and counties to balance his budget.

[DLaw911]

LOL - You forgot the "rolling brownouts" for fire stations. A few different fire stations throughout the City of Los Angeles will be completely closed. Those areas to be covered by other areas. The city isn't even nice enough to tell us what stations on what days. Heaven forbid they notify us so in case of an emergency, we can load our loved one in a car and take them to emergency instead of waiting to see if our local station will respond or not. :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

I know this is a city issue but it stems from the guvenator takin more of local taxes away from cities and counties to balance his budget.Thanks ... there are too many life threatening things to mention. I forgot about that one. The next thing to look out for will be school furlough days and JUST WHO is going to take care of those kids when they're not in school. Does anyone believe they will be home studying?

[malnila]

Thanks ... there are too many life threatening things to mention. I forgot about that one. The next thing to look out for will be school furlough days and JUST WHO is going to take care of those kids when they're not in school. Does anyone believe they will be home studying?

Wish me luck. I'm on call for jury duty at the Airport Courthouse. I know they will call me for Friday because they pick their panels for the next week. When I was there last jury duty time, it was already a two-hour wait to get thru the metal detectors. I'm definitely planning on doing jury duty orientation online so I can sleep in. :mrgreen:

[DLaw911]

Wish me luck. I'm on call for jury duty at the Airport Courthouse. I know they will call me for Friday because they pick their panels for the next week. When I was there last jury duty time, it was already a two-hour wait to get thru the metal detectors. I'm definitely planning on doing jury duty orientation online so I can sleep in. :mrgreen:You are there on the best day. No jury trials ever go out on Fridays except once in a blue moon. The judges and prosecutors will give away the courthouse before a Friday jury is sworn.

Sorry I won't see you. I will be in a kidnap/robbery preliminary hearing in Orange County.

[PuckHappy]

I propose we sell California to China and use the money to pay off our debt.

California is already owned by Mexico and the Drug Cartel.

[PuckHappy]

I do have to wonder how we can be so broke and still be able to afford new employees.
California Government Hires 3,600 in Past Year:

http://www.govcentral.com/news/articles/15234-california-government-hires-3600-in-past-year

California’s government continues to grow despite a historic recession, budget cuts and employee layoff warnings, new data show.
About 4,000 more full-time workers drew state checks in June compared to a year before, with the biggest increases coming in prison hospitals, the state’s unemployment agency and the Franchise Tax Board.

[DLaw911]

I do have to wonder how we can be so broke and still be able to afford new employees.
California Government Hires 3,600 in Past Year:

http://www.govcentral.com/news/articles/15234-california-government-hires-3600-in-past-year
That's an easy red herring. Overall state worker employment is down. New hires only replace a fraction of the available openings. Many people retired creating openings. When you hire NEW, versus keeping OLD, you get cheaper labor. For example, when a Deputy Attorney General "IV" retires, making $150,000 per year, he gets replaced by a DAG "I" making $34,000 per year. When a new prison opens in California it needs to be staffed. It takes thousands of people to run a single prison.

[MrShotShot]

The sad thing is, California should be the wealthiest state in the union - and my state, New York, should be number two - funny how they're both going down the tubes.

[jimjames418]

The sad thing is, California should be the wealthiest state in the union - and my state, New York, should be number two - funny how they're both going down the tubes.
That is because they budget and spend money on "feel good" programs instead of needed programs.

And they fail to plan ahead for how to pay for the programs they do have.

Any system will fail if no one looks out for the long term, including the U.S. federal government.

[DLaw911]

That is because they budget and spend money on "feel good" programs instead of needed programs.

And they fail to plan ahead for how to pay for the programs they do have.

Any system will fail if no one looks out for the long term, including the U.S. federal government.Yes, and some examples of FEEL GOOD programs are:
Jessica's Law
SVP
Megan's Law
Three strikes
One Strike and You're Out
Mandatory Prison Sentencing

And by the way the majority of taxes collected in CA goes to fund public education. Since school is mandatory there is a reason to have public education. A lot of people think public school teachers are overpaid. Let me assure you that based on the hours they teach and then work after hours, and be laid off for Christmas, Easter and Summer vacations, they are rather underpaid. And again for those who think it's OK to double class size, make kids share books or not have textbooks at all, and attend class in buildings that do not meet earthquake standards .. well they can enjoy the products of that education (i.e. illiterate unemployable young adults).

[SpecJet]

The sad thing is, California should be the wealthiest state in the union - and my state, New York, should be number two - funny how they're both going down the tubes.

That is truly the most pathetic part of this whole ****ing mess. The 2 biggest economic engines on the planet are in the worst fiscal condition. I wonder if it has anything to do with the over abundance of liberal legislators.........Na, couldn't be. It's they few conservatives that are mucking the whole thing up. Oh ya, that and Prop 13...lol

Many of us here, have seen this coming for years.

[SpecJet]

Yes, and some examples of FEEL GOOD programs are:
Jessica's Law
SVP
Megan's Law
Three strikes
One Strike and You're Out
Mandatory Prison Sentencing

And by the way the majority of taxes collected in CA goes to fund public education. Since school is mandatory there is a reason to have public education. A lot of people think public school teachers are overpaid. Let me assure you that based on the hours they teach and then work after hours, and be laid off for Christmas, Easter and Summer vacations, they are rather underpaid. And again for those who think it's OK to double class size, make kids share books or not have textbooks at all, and attend class in buildings that do not meet earthquake standards .. well they can enjoy the products of that education (i.e. illiterate unemployable young adults).

I like how you leave out the second biggest drain on our (CA) economy. Health and Human Service, a close second at 25 billion. Instead you focus on the much smaller Corrections Dept.

I don't think teachers are over paid, It's all the damn administrators that suck up all the money at the education trough. Based on performance, our entire education system delivers crappy service for all the billions that are poured into it.

[DLaw911]

Many of us here, have seen this coming for years.There is no question in my mind that Prop 13 was the precursor for the current problem but even then that does not mean the governor would sign a balanced budget that includes tax increases. The problem is not conservative nor liberal in nature. Look at the cuts the governor has made to balance the budget --- EMERGENCY services and ESSENTIAL services. I hate paying taxes, I don't want to pay more taxes, but I realize it's a necessity. I don't see any way around it. The taxpayers are the voters and they routinely voted for bonds and other measures that cost billions of dollars. And the legislative analyst estimated how much these initiatives would cost and it was printed right on the ballot. And people still voted for these issues. And now the time has come for those same people to PAY for what they voted for. The legislature has not turned the financial problem into a bigger mess. Like anything else inflation and pay raises has had a dramatic effect with NO increases in property or income taxes.

[jimjames418]

Yes, and some examples of FEEL GOOD programs are:
Jessica's Law
SVP
Megan's Law
Three strikes
One Strike and You're Out
Mandatory Prison Sentencing

And by the way the majority of taxes collected in CA goes to fund public education. Since school is mandatory there is a reason to have public education. A lot of people think public school teachers are overpaid. Let me assure you that based on the hours they teach and then work after hours, and be laid off for Christmas, Easter and Summer vacations, they are rather underpaid. And again for those who think it's OK to double class size, make kids share books or not have textbooks at all, and attend class in buildings that do not meet earthquake standards .. well they can enjoy the products of that education (i.e. illiterate unemployable young adults).
Not saying that teachers are overpaid but I was listening to Bob Brinker on the radio and a teacher from California called for advice. He and his wife, both teachers, were being forced to retire and he was wondering how they could make their money stretch. Bob asked him how much retirement income they were getting, and how was the health insurance being paid. He told Bob that their income would be $92,000 from the retirement system and that their health insurance would be 100% paid by the state. Yeah, those poor teachers.

As for being "laid off" over Christmas, Easter, and the summer, that is part of the job. Most teachers I know elect to receive their pay over 12 months and a whole lot of people would love to have a Christmas vacation, an Easter vactaion (spring break), and a 2 1/2 month long summer vacation.

[DLaw911]

I like how you leave out the second biggest drain on our (CA) economy. Health and Human Service, a close second at 25 billion. Instead you focus on the much smaller Corrections Dept.

I don't think teachers are over paid, It's all the damn administrators that suck up all the money at the education trough. Based on performance, our entire education system delivers crappy service for all the billions that are poured into it.Efforts were made to overhaul the Los Angeles School District. Two mayors ran on a campaign to do that every thing. Our current mayor got sucessfully sued when he tried.

And you're right about health and human services. Thanks for pointing that out. And they too are understaffed. But I focused on prisons because, for the most part, overcrowding could be solved by using community based resources for non-violent offenders. For example, the CDCR operates a restitution center in which non-violent inmates who are not escape risks work during the day to pay off their victims and costs of incarseration. And they return at night. But there is only one restitution center in CA and it only has a limited number of beds. But it only costs $12,000 per year to keep a person there as compared to now about $40,000 a year to house inmates in prisons. I'm certainly not advocating closing prisons but all the talk of overcrowing can be eliminated by getting drug possession offenders out from that expensive system into community based semi-lock down rehabs.

[DLaw911]

[snipped]....He [the teacher] told Bob that their income would be $92,000 from the retirement system and that their health insurance would be 100% paid by the state. Yeah, those poor teachers. A combined income of $92,000.00 means an average of $46,000 per year. Not everyone who retires has a spouse or partner who has a good retirement plan. $92,000 per year is not a lot for two people especially if they still have a mortgage to pay.
As for being "laid off" over Christmas, Easter, and the summer, that is part of the job. Most teachers I know elect to receive their pay over 12 months and a whole lot of people would love to have a Christmas vacation, an Easter vactaion (spring break), and a 2 1/2 month long summer vacation.Yes you're right. I'm sure a lot of teachers enjoy being off for vacations. But when you say it's part of the job that does not mean that people went into teaching SO THAT they could get time off for vacations. There are a lot of dedicated teachers out their chomping at the bit waiting to get back into the classroom and hoping their students did not suffering learning amnesia during the breaks.

[SpecJet]

Efforts were made to overhaul the Los Angeles School District. Two mayors ran on a campaign to do that every thing. Our current mayor got sucessfully sued when he tried.

And you're right about health and human services. Thanks for pointing that out. And they too are understaffed. But I focused on prisons because, for the most part, overcrowding could be solved by using community based resources for non-violent offenders. For example, the CDCR operates a restitution center in which non-violent inmates who are not escape risks work during the day to pay off their victims and costs of incarseration. And they return at night. But there is only one restitution center in CA and it only has a limited number of beds. But it only costs $12,000 per year to keep a person there as compared to now about $40,000 a year to house inmates in prisons. I'm certainly not advocating closing prisons but all the talk of overcrowing can be eliminated by getting drug possession offenders out from that expensive system into community based semi-lock down rehabs.


On the schools, I know, the gigantic bureaucracy that is LAUSD makes me ill.
That is why I always oppose feeding that beast ever more of our hard earned dollars.

Our local unions have way to much power.

On your second point, I agree fully.

[DLaw911]

On the schools, I know, the gigantic bureaucracy that is LAUSD makes me ill.
That is why I always oppose feeding that beast ever more of our hard earned dollars.

Our local unions have way to much power.

On your second point, I agree fully. I've never been a union member (although I have represented a labor union in court). What I detest about them the most is that they will push for high and higher wages, but when there is talk about budget cuts they will (almost) never agree to pay cuts .... but they won't stand in the way of layoffs just so long as no one gets a cut. I've never found that to be prudent.

Speaking of prudent ... I've got to get up at 5 am so see ya!