In the morn?ing of Oct. 8, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger commended the Legislature for passing a bud?get that further reduced state spending from previous years while preserving “safety net” health and social services programs for low- and moderate-income Californians.
And then he proceeded to slash nearly $1 billion more in spending before signing the budget into law later that day.
Aside from the fact that he vetoed portions of a budget that he himself played a role in crafting, the worst thing about what he did was slash spend?ing for programs that serve as a lifeline to many Californians who are struggling to survive, much less get ahead in a troubled economy.
In his earlier, more popular days as Governor, Schwarzenegger used to criticize legislators past and present for “kicking the can down the road” instead of doing what he said was needed to address long-standing budget deficits.
But now, as a lame duck serving in the twilight of his time in office, this Governor chose to use his veto pen to kick poor and working people in the teeth. In short order, he wiped out:
? $256 million in child care funding for low-income Californians who used to be on welfare but who have since found jobs. As a consequence, an estimated 87,000 children will no longer receive child care over the next year and a half.
? $80 million in funding devoted to investigating child neglect and abuse. As a result, California will now be at risk of losing another $53 million in fed?eral funds.
? $133 million in funding for mental health ser?vices for special education students.
The fact that Schwarzenegger vetoed parts of a budget that he had previously encouraged legisla?tors to support is, to say the least, disappointing. This governor likes to portray himself as an advo?cate for children and child welfare programs, but his recent actions call that notion into question.
I”ll be retiring from the Senate on Nov. 30. But some of my colleagues, most notably Senate President Pro-Tem Darrell Steinberg, say that they”ll seek to restore some of the funding vetoed by the Governor when the Legislature reconvenes in early December. I hope they succeed.
Editor”s Note: Patricia “Pat” Wiggins represents Lake County in the California Legislature”s Second State Senate District.
