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Arnold Declares Emergency in Calif. Budget Mess

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 1, 2009 3:34 PM CDT

(Newser) – California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger today declared a fiscal emergency and ordered lawmakers to produce a plan to close the state’s $24.3 billion deficit within 45 days, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. To accomplish that, Schwarzenegger called a special session of the legislature, and also ordered 220,000 state employees to take a third additional furlough day each month.

State Sen. President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, left, and Senate Minority Leader Dennis Hollingsworth, R-Temecula, leave the Senate floor.
State Sen. President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, left, and Senate Minority Leader Dennis Hollingsworth, R-Temecula, leave the Senate floor.   (AP Photo)
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.   (AP Photo)
A woman joins state employees and members of the Service Employees International Union protesting against Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's furloughs.
A woman joins state employees and members of the Service Employees International Union protesting against Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's furloughs.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 14 comments
RobN
Jul 2, 2009 12:22 PM CDT
That's right, msutah, a Democratic governor on top of a Democratic legislature would have made it all better. That combination would surely have cut spending and cut taxes. Why, it would surely be a utopia by now if only Arnold hadn't been elected.
Serenity
Jul 2, 2009 12:04 PM CDT
I hate to be the one to mention the drag that illegals have on our economy, but California is a very good example. The economic difference between the few super rich and the excessive super poor is extreme in that state causes a strain on all state funded programs.
AClotfelter
Jul 2, 2009 6:03 AM CDT
I have to reluctantly agree.

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