California is so screwed...

[The Gemini Method]

The welfare system in LA is ed. I can't believe you can't get if you work and are struggling with the cost of living but can qualify when sitting on ass.

L.A. doesn't have a seperate welfare program--it's a state (and there are some federal programs...) ran program, so as a whole it is really problematic and needs to be changed to what it initially was supposed to be--a program that aided a recipient for a while and get them back to looking for a job and off the dependency. Growing up in Long Beach, CA it was interesting to see what some of the political asylum Khmer ethnic group did when they first came to our country. They would be on welfare for a little period of time and used that as a springboard to succeeding.

[Ashy Larry]

The welfare system in LA is ed. I can't believe you can't get if you work and are struggling with the cost of living but can qualify when sitting on ass.

I know this chick who's able-bodied. All of her limbs work and she gets a check for watching All My Children, One Life to Live and Oprah all day, every day. I can see welfare going to a single mother who lost her job and needs assistance for a period of time. As a nation of supposed Christians, Christ would have wanted us to help those who are trying to help themselves and hit a bump in the road. But when you use an EBT card to go to the strip club and get your nails done, instead of buying groceries, we have a problem.

I never ask for a hand out. I try to make it on my own, get mine and manage what I have. I wish those who are fully capable of working would do the same.

[boutons_deux]

You people seem to be extremely pissed off about welfare fraud, but give medical fraud, financial fraud a pass.

[The Gemini Method]

I know this chick who's able-bodied. All of her limbs work and she gets a check for watching All My Children, One Life to Live and Oprah all day, every day. I can see welfare going to a single mother who lost her job and needs assistance for a period of time. As a nation of supposed Christians, Christ would have wanted us to help those who are trying to help themselves and hit a bump in the road. But when you use an EBT card to go to the strip club and get your nails done, instead of buying groceries, we have a problem.

I never ask for a hand out. I try to make it on my own, get mine and manage what I have. I wish those who are fully capable of working would do the same.

I remember this one incident while in college...I was purchasing some items for the week at a Ralphs and while walking into the store, I saw this really sleek BMW pull up. It was decked out to the T and driven by a stunning lady. I'm not sure--due to the passage of time--what exactly she wore, but it wasn't your average t-shirt and get-up. She is in front of me to enter the store and before me at the checker paying for Hypnotique (this was when the Incredible Hunk was a huge de facto drink) and a few other items with food vouchers and WIC stamps...Again, this was prior to the state limiting what items you could purchase (and strictly enforced said rules).

[clambake]

You people seem to be extremely pissed off about welfare fraud, but give medical fraud, financial fraud a pass.

extremely good point.

[MannyIsGod]

You people seem to be extremely pissed off about welfare fraud, but give medical fraud, financial fraud a pass.

Of course. The rich deflect to the poor. Best part about American politics!

[Ashy Larry]

Most definitely agree with being fiscally responsible for the most part, but I do believe that there should be certain aspects that spending cannot be avoided. It just has to be in a correct manner and not what is usually done in positions of power.

The ads...yeah, they ruined the World Series for me...

That's where our states and country have gone wrong. These elected people put parties before country. I think we need more Indies out there.

[Ashy Larry]

I remember this one incident while in college...I was purchasing some items for the week at a Ralphs and while walking into the store, I saw this really sleek BMW pull up. It was decked out to the T and driven by a stunning lady. I'm not sure--due to the passage of time--what exactly she wore, but it wasn't your average t-shirt and get-up. She is in front of me to enter the store and before me at the checker paying for Hypnotique (this was when the Incredible Hunk was a huge de facto drink) and a few other items with food vouchers and WIC stamps...Again, this was prior to the state limiting what items you could purchase (and strictly enforced said rules).

That's classic ..... lol @ hypnotic ..... the Cinnamon Toast Crunch of alcohol

[The Gemini Method]

You people seem to be extremely pissed off about welfare fraud, but give medical fraud, financial fraud a pass.

Fraud is bad all the way around...I was just sticking to the topic that was being discussed at the time. But, whether it is workman's comp or SS/Disability fraud and financial fraud, it affects all of us and makes a sense of distrust amongst groups of varying beliefs.

[Ashy Larry]

fraud sucks ...... period. , we have political fraud in our offices both GOP and Dems.

[baseline bum]

I know this chick who's able-bodied. All of her limbs work and she gets a check for watching All My Children, One Life to Live and Oprah all day, every day. I can see welfare going to a single mother who lost her job and needs assistance for a period of time. As a nation of supposed Christians, Christ would have wanted us to help those who are trying to help themselves and hit a bump in the road. But when you use an EBT card to go to the strip club and get your nails done, instead of buying groceries, we have a problem.

Sucks. I have a friend in LA whose wife was shot and killed (innocent bystander; thanks, war on drugs!), so he's a single father raising two kids who works a full-time job with terrible pay. He can't find anything better that won't require him to leave his kids unsupervised at nights, so his choice was to move into a mission or let his kids grow up on the streets and maybe meet the same fate as his wife. Not a cent from the state.

[Ashy Larry]

Sucks. I have a friend in LA whose wife was shot and killed (innocent bystander; thanks, war on drugs!), so he's a single father raising two kids who works a full-time job with terrible pay. He can't find anything better that won't require him to leave his kids unsupervised at nights, so his choice was to move into a mission or let his kids grow up on the streets and maybe meet the same fate as his wife. Not a cent from the state.

See, in a case like that, that's a common sense case. Bad happens to good people and in the blink of an eye, can change. The state can look at this situation and say, we'll help you out for a while until you can get back on ya feet. Really sorry to hear about ya friend. It happens in the inner cities and barrios all the time.

[Winehole23]

California's budget deficit is gone after years of financial troubles, Governor Jerry Brown said on Thursday, proposing a plan that raises spending on education and healthcare, boosting total expenditures by 5 percent.

Brown vowed to push back at legislators eager to raise spending quickly, restoring the billions of dollars to social services and other state functions that were cut in lean years.

"I am determined to avoid the fiscal mess that the last few governors had to deal with," Brown told reporters as he introduced the budget for the 2013-14 fiscal year beginning in July.

The state expects $98.5 billion in revenues and transfers and plans spending $97.7 billion, according to the proposal published on the state Department of Finance website.

That leaves a surplus of $851 million for the year, in addition to a projected $785 million surplus for the current fiscal year, which ends in June, allowing the state to put $1 billion toward a rainy day fund.

Brown said he saw a balanced budget for the next four years.

Spending in the upcoming year is set to rise 5 percent, or $4.7 billion, from the current 2012-13 budget. Schools and universities will see a $4 billion boost, health care spending will rise $1.2 billion, while transfers to local government will drop $2.1 billion.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/...9090PV20130110

[Wild Cobra]

Well, we will see if the budget actually holds. It most certainly took them long enough to pull, their collective heads out of their collectives asses. Now if the federal government could just do the same.

[DarrinS]

Spending less than you take in? What a concept.

Texas has 8.8 billion surplus.

[boutons_deux]

Spending less than you take in? What a concept.

Texas has 8.8 billion surplus.

RickyBobby is gonna cut taxes on his business financiers rather spend it on schools from which he cut $B.

[coyotes_geek]

False.

Schools will get some, TxDOT will get some and the money borrowed from the rainy day fund last session will be repaid.

[boutons_deux]

False.

Schools will get some, TxDOT will get some and the money borrowed from the rainy day fund last session will be repaid.

Schools were overjoyed this week to get .... $200M.

mere crumbs after $5B was cut.

$19B/year RickyBobby gives away to corporations, etc.

[TeyshaBlue]

Doesn't matter what Perry thinks. The leg is about to be told what to do...again.

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/educa...ance-study.ece

[Winehole23]

http://www.sfgate.com/politics/artic...on-4997158.php

[boutons_deux]

Governor Moonbeam, a super majority Dem legislature, a marginliized, powerless Repug party, and CA turns itself around in a couple years, and the shale explosion hasn't really started.

Unemployment is also well down.