2008 Budget Agenda
Every year, the Governor proposes a state budget plan by January 10 and a revised budget in Mid-May. This year's budget proposal is especially painful. With a projection of a $17.2 billion deficit and the stance of Republican legislators against raising any new revenues, the proposed budget will impact all aspects of Californians' lives with its cuts to important programs.
In his budget proposal, the Governor is proposing a 10% cut across all departments and program areas in the General Fund, including boards, commissions, and legislative and judicial branches. These cuts range from necessities such as health care and education to recreation such as public beaches and parks. Reductions were not made for areas that are protected by the Constitution or impractical to implement.
These far-ranging cuts impact everybody. In the coming months, the Legislature and the Governor will have to make some very difficult decisions about what the state's priorities should be. To find out what cuts are being proposed in critically important areas such as education, health care, and social services, please download AACRE's analysis in the right column.