Legal Commentary

California Into the Abyss

By Big Tent Democrat

This is catastrophic, not just for California, but for the entire US economy:

After a frustrating holiday weekend that failed to yield the one vote needed to end California's budget stalemate, the state is poised to begin layoff proceedings Tuesday for 20,000 government workers. In addition to the layoffs, the state also plans to halt all remaining public works projects, potentially putting thousands of construction workers out of jobs.

"We are dealing with a catastrophe of unbelievable proportions," said state Sen. Alan Lowenthal, a Democrat from Long Beach and chairman of the Senate transportation committee. Senate leader Darrell Steinberg announced late Monday that lawmakers had failed to find the final vote in his chamber as Republicans refused to support tax increases. He called a session for Tuesday and said he would put the tax provisions of the budget proposal up for a vote, even if they would not pass.

This is criminal irresponsibility by California Republicans. This is truly an economic catastrophe.

Speaking for me only

Full post as published by TalkLeft on February 17, 2009 (boomark / email).