State Out of Snow Removal Money
Dec 22nd, 2009 by Tennessee Walker
Boy Governor, Jack Markell has already run out of money for State Operations on Snow Removal. According to State Transportation Secretary Carolann Wicks, only 3.2 million dollars were budgeted for snow removal and that will handle about 8 inches of snow. Of Course most of Kent and New Castle Counties received considerably more snow than this.
It looks as if the Markell group bet a little too heavily on Global Warming and now with 90 more days of winter weather ahead has an empty cupboard for snow removal.
If you live off of the beaten track, be prepared to wait longer to get out, see a lot more days of your kids missing school, and have even more problems getting to the grocery store to keep your own cupboards full.
Maybe they should start running lines in the racinos for the over under on additional snowfall this year. You know, since all budget shortfalls are filled by gambling.
Gov.-elect Chris Christie compiles plans to slash N.J. spending up to 25 percent
NJ.com ^ | 12/22/09 | staff
TRENTON — Gov.-elect Chris Christie and his transition aides are compiling plans to slash New Jersey state spending and state programs by as much as 25 percent in response to the continuous flow of dim financial news from the New Jersey Treasury Department, according to an internal document obtained by The Star-Ledger.
Even before he takes office next month, his team is looking for programs that can be eliminated entirely and calling on state administrators to find untapped federal funds to cover whatever they possibly can.
Arthur, you made me laugh.
annoni, we all know Markell won’t take the Christie model. Markell is a liberal Democrat who will tell anyone want they want to hear.
The next budget will be a huge problem for Markell. Finally, we will see the utter incompetence of state government and many of our elected officials.
Mike Protack
LATimes ^ | December 23, 2009
Schwarzenegger To Seek Federal Help For California Budget
Facing another huge deficit, the governor wants $8 billion or threatens massive cuts in social services. He also plans to renew push for offshore oil drilling.
By Shane Goldmacher and Evan Halper
December 23, 2009
Reporting from Sacramento – Facing a budget deficit of more than $20 billion, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected to call for deep reductions in already suffering local mass transit programs, renew his push to expand oil drilling off the Santa Barbara coast and appeal to Washington for billions of dollars in federal help, according to state officials and lobbyists familiar with the plan.
If Washington does not provide roughly $8 billion in new aid for the state, the governor threatens to severely cut back — if not eliminate — CalWORKS, the state’s main welfare program; the In-Home Health Care Services program for the disabled and elderly poor, and two tax breaks for large corporations recently approved by the Legislature, the officials said.
Schwarzenegger also will propose extending a cut in the state payroll that is scheduled to expire this summer. That cut has translated into 200,000 state workers being furloughed three days a month, the equivalent of a 14% pay cut. Lawmakers would have the option of extending the furloughs, imposing layoffs or some combination of the two.
The governor is scheduled to unveil his plan publicly early next month. Administration spokesman Matt David declined to comment on the details.
The governor and lawmakers have already had to close shortfalls this year totaling $60 billion, as tax revenues plummeted at rates not seen in California since the Great Depression. Amid the continuing budget crisis, the state ran short of cash needed to cover its bills and was forced to issue IOUs over the summer.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com …
[...] Religious right whackjob David Anderson has criticized Governor Markell today over the news that the Blizzard of 2009 has nearly exhausted the state budget for snow removal and salting the roads already. David really has some nerve, and he has brought hypocrisy to unseen record breaking levels. [...]