Structural Deficits and the California Budget

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California-s faced with massive deficits, but it-s required to have a balanced budget. Governor Schwarzenegger has sworn he won-t raise taxes, which means spending has to be cut. Though its outlines are clear, the Governor's spending plan won-t pass by tonight-s deadline, as he promised it would. It won-t -clean up the mess- in Sacramento, either. Some critics complain it covers up continuing deficits with fiscal gimmicks, just like the budgets that led to Gray Davis being kicked out of office. Is there something new in Sacramento or -business as usual- after all? Warren Olney speaks with the Communications Director for the state Department of Finance, California's Legislative Analyst and a former staffer at the Congressional Budget Office and US Senate Budget Committee. Reporter's Notebook: Cassini Spacecraft Nears Saturn Orbit Seven years ago, the most complex and expensive unmanned spaceflight ever attempted was launched on its way to the planet Saturn. Tonight, scientists will finally learn if it-s established itself in orbit around that very exotic planet. Cassini Mission planner David Seal is among the scientists at the Jet Propulsion Lab who are -chewing their nails- as Cassini threads its way through the rings of Saturn.

California State Budget

California Balanced Budget Act (Prop 58)

Economic Recovery Bond Act (Prop 57)

Governor's higher education budget compromise

Governor's higher education budget compromise

Governor's re-negotiated gaming compacts

Richman-Canciamilla Budget Plan

LAO analysis of Richman-Canciamilla Budget Proposal

JPL's Cassini Mission

Credits

Host:

Warren Olney

Producer:

Frances Anderton