We've asked for your videos and stories about how the budget cuts will directly hurt you and your family -- the response has been great! Let's make sure lawmakers continue to hear that we want a balanced budget solution that includes new revenues. Tell us your story, and keep checking back, more will be posted in the coming days.
"It is completely outrageous that we would further reduce our safety net."
My office is in the Pico Union area of Los Angeles and the children will have no summer school, less food, fewer chances to get to the clinic and fewer chances to have their disabilities cared for. No wonder there was a shooting in front of the church last week. Budget cuts cause more crime, which means more money spent on prisons. Cut backs to schools are especially foolish since that is our future. The only way that we will be able to fully address our long term budget challenges. We should tax oil and revoke the tax credit(!) for loss carry forwards. We should also tax yachts and corporations doing business within and without CA should pay higher taxes. It is completely outrageous that we would further reduce our safety net. Besides, it's mean. -- Jane, Redondo Beach |
"Fortunately, I am not homeless yet, but it is a good possibility."
I am on Social Security Disability and with the amounts allowed to get SSI having been cut, it has also cut my income. Also, my medical coverage is being hit as well as so many of the social programs all of us depend on. Fortunately, I am not homeless yet, but it is a good possibility. I just do not understand how you could make all Californians suffer, especially those of us who are very low income, in favor of giving a huge tax break to oil and tobacco. This is not just or right and I believe that the solution is to sign the compromise bill, and tax the big corporations that are not now paying their fair share! – Christine, Victorville |
"I am a state worker who is facing a pay cut."
I am a single mom with an eleven year old daughter. I have a good job, but the cuts to public services worries me on many levels. I am a state worker who is facing a pay cut. In addition, my daughter is in public school. As it is now, California ranks near the bottom of the U.S. in the amount per capita spent on students. Further budget cuts would be devastating. It makes much more sense to raise taxes because that hits everybody. There are many people in this state still making money and they can afford to pay a little more. I include myself as one of those persons who would rather pay more in taxes than see further budget cuts. Further budget cuts will hurt the people who are already hurting the most: kids, families, and the economically disadvantaged. -- Judy, Pacifica |
"We are forced to live on less and less everyday."
My co-workers and I are very scared because we work for LAUSD and the superintendent and the board just approved massive cuts. They are mainly cutting rank and file positions like mine, which seems very unfair. They are threatening more cuts because they are saying the state will cut further into education, which is the main source of revenue for Los Angeles Unified School District. Please help! We cannot endure more hardships. We have not received any salary increases for the last three years. Yet everything gets more expensive. We are forced to live on less and less everyday. We are sacrificing medical needs because we have no money. Enough is enough. Act intelligently and fund education and social services. Implement more taxes on the rich oil corporations and rich businesses, and the wealthy people. Don't balance the budget on the poor. We cannot take any more cuts! -- Jeronimo, Los Angeles |
|
"My wife is a state employee who has already been forced to reduce her hours by 10%."
Hello, My wife is a state employee who has already been forced to reduce her hours by 10%. The latest proposal from the Governor would further reduce her salary by 5% for total reduction of 15% of her salary. Further she did not enjoy the boom years with her salary not increasing at all in the last 5 years - effectively a reduction in pay by the rate of inflation. With State income tax ~9% the lack of raises combined with the 15% cut results in a net state TAX INCREASE of 300%! This of course directly impacts our family, reducing money available for purchases ranging from retail to home improvement. Many items and services will simply be done without. While the republicans make loud claims to not increase revenues by even small amounts, they are actually drastically putting the burden on the backs of the state workers with a 300% tax increase. Balancing the budget should not be the sole responsibility of our state employees. Taking money from working families via a tax increase or directly from their paychecks is equivalent. Making false claims to the contrary is dishonest as well as unfair. -- Bart, San Mateo
|
From UCLA students: "Save Cal Grants!"
This video was produced by UCLA students as part of the Save Cal Grants Coalition, which includes the California College Democrats (CCD).
"If it wasn't for President Obama's reduction in COBRA payments we would not have health insurance."
My husband was a state employee and was laid off. We are living on our savings, and if it wasn't for President Obama's reduction in COBRA payments we would not have health insurance. I see my husband look every day for a job, and slowly the toll of no jobs is robbing him of his vitality and zest for life. I believe that all the stories about how the budget cuts are effecting the constituents falls on deaf ears in the Republican Party. I think that they are still under the Bush Administration that only the wealthy and special interests with money to give to their campaigns have a voice. Their cuts are ridiculous - fire and police, health and education - the most important things that the state provides. Yet, they refuse look at how to cut items in the budget that do not help the greater good, but just them. I don't see Republican Legislators saying they will give up their salaries, or their car. They refuse to tax big interest groups such as the oil companies- because of potential gain for themselves, not for the voters. Schwarzenegger is allowed to keep his press secretary/bodyguard at the taxpayers' expense. I truly believe that as it stands right now, the California Legislature has no intention of truly helping the citizenry, just themselves and their friends. -- Debra, Davis |
"If the proposed cuts are put in place I am not sure what we will do."
In my household both my wife and I are feeling the effects of the budget crisis. If the proposed cuts are put in place I am not sure what we will do. I currently work as a full-time lecturer for one of the California State Universities and am not sure that my contract will be renewed because of the deep cuts to the CSU system. Additionally, my wife is a small business owner and has clients in the affordable housing and non-profit sectors who rely on state funds. These clients have already cut back on their contracts and may need to completely drop future contracts if the cuts take effect. Also, we have two young sons that require regular doctor visits and prescription medication. Since my employer provides healthcare for our family, I would also loose health coverage for my family if my position is eliminated. I hope that legislators can come up with real solutions to this crisis and not turn a blind eye the plight of the people of this great state. -- Michael, Long Beach
|
"Young women with children need a safety net, especially now as times get tougher and tougher."
For the first time in my life I was forced to go on welfare. I was laid off my job in 2000, and when the severance ran out, I was terrified. I applied for aid, and quickly turned my life around. I used welfare as a means to get back on my feet, which I did. Please, please do not cut this benefit anymore! Young women with children need a safety net, especially now as times get tougher and tougher. STOP FIGHTING NOW AND FIX CALIFORNIA'S FINANCIAL FUTURE!!!! -- Teresa, Elk Grove |
|
