"For California, a New Month, a New Deficit"

In San Francisco on Wednesday, University of California students and workers protested proposed new fees and benefit changes.

By ADAM NAGOURNEY

Published: November 17, 2010

The article I chose to write about talks about the budget gap in California.  California is among the largest economies in the United States.  What I found interesting was that _____ mentioned how California usually recovers not by itself, but through a national recovery.  This shows that California, although it is a large economy, is not the leading economy in the sense of recovery and strength.  The article also mentions how they have already made cuts to programs that are essential to the integrity of the state.  Such programs are welfare, education, even state universities.

I having gone to a public high school in California I can vouch for their sparse funding.  I graduated high school in 2006 when the economy was supposedly at it's peak.  The programs were limited, the education was less than sufficient, and the number of students were over crowding the schools.  I can't even fathom what the situation is not only currently, but will become due to these massive cuts to public education.  This will cause an even greater polarization among the poor and the wealthy.  Those children fortunate enough to attend school which requires tuition are the only ones that will be receiving a decent education.

The California financial crisis is about to face another dynamic.  As Governor Schwarzanegger hards off his duties to Governor-elect, Jerry Brown, from the view of this article the consensus is that although Mr. Schwarzanegger will be remembered for the good he has done for California he will also be given a label similar to that of President George W. Bush.  The label being an executive leaving behind a financial disaster for his predecessor. This is unfortunate for Governor Schwarzanegger who has been instrumental in much of the progress in California before the national recession took its toll on the state.

This article, although brief gives good insight to some of the details troubling not only the state of California, but other states throughout the US.  My thoughts and prayers are with Governor-elect Brown as he is entering a challenging position.  We can all only hope that he is able to handle the unavoidable difficulties that will try his abilities and endurance as the new Governor of California.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/18/us/18calif.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hp