Health, Social Services Programs Likely Face Funding Reductions in Schwarzenegger State Budget Proposal
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) is expected on Monday to propose about $3 billion in spending reductions in his fiscal year 2005-2006 state budget, funding cuts that likely will "hit health care and social services the hardest," the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Schwarzenegger also plans to use funds allocated for education and transportation projects, as well as remaining deficit-reduction bonds, to help address the state budget deficit, estimated at $8 billion (Gledhill, San Francisco Chronicle, 1/7).
However, school officials oppose the governor's proposal to reduce education funding. According to the San Jose Mercury News, "the intense reaction appeared to catch the administration off guard."
Education Secretary Richard Riordan said Schwarzenegger "could change his mind" about reducing educational funding, noting that the administration must consider educational funding against funding for children's health care programs, the Mercury News reports (LaMar, San Jose Mercury News, 1/7).