Schwarzenegger Seeks Switch to E-Textbooks

(NEWSER) - The California Legislature and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger are just steps away from an agreement that would close the state’s $26.3 billion deficit, the Los Angeles Times reports. Talks are expected to conclude today. “I don’t think there is anything that would make negotiations shut down at this point,” the Democratic assembly speaker says; a deal on contentious education cuts appears to be key. More»

(NEWSER) - Amazon will unveil a bigger new version of the Kindle tomorrow, designed to handle textbooks and periodicals, the Wall Street Journal reports. Amazon already has deals in place with several textbook publishers for content, and with various universities, including Princeton, Reed College, and Arizona State, to get the device into students’ hands. Students at Case Western Reserve University will be given Kindles as early as this fall, with some textbooks already loaded in. More»

(NEWSER) - Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed cutting a week out of the public school calendar, the latest desperate measure in California's struggle with a $41 billion budget shortfall. The Governator says the $1.1 billion savings will ward off other cuts to education, which makes up 40% of the state budget. Schools would close early or find money to finish the 180-day year, raising fairness concerns, reports the Los Angeles Times. More»

Spending cuts, tax increases in store

(NEWSER) - Politicians from New York to California are wringing their hands, wondering whether to cut spending or raise taxes. As the economy barrels towards recession, income and sales taxes are coming in well below expectations, and about half the states in the country are facing budget shortfalls, the New York Times reports. In many places, health care and education are on the chopping block. More»

State might slash education funds, free inmates early

(NEWSER) - California's dire financial straits may force the early release of 30,000 low-risk inmates and bring drastic cuts in education, the Los Angeles Times reports. Arnold Schwarzenegger will declare a fiscal emergency next month as the state wrestles with a $14.5 billion budget gap. The governor has ordered agencies to explore spending cuts of 10% across the board, which could soften opposition to future tax increases. More»