California Revenue Shortfall to Force More Cuts

Governor Jerry Brown announced today that California's state income is $2.2 billion short of its projected income. As a result, $258 million will be cut from public school transportation, and there will be increased fees for college students. Governor Brown is planning on asking voters next year to temporarily raise taxes on the state's highest earners. A recent poll shows 60% of voters in favor of this measure.

This article goes back to the discussion over whether or not California is too democratic. While direct initiatives can get new laws passed more quickly and give the public more power, they also allow new laws, such as prop 13, to get passed which, as evidenced by this article, have substantial consequences. Governor Brown is calling for more democracy to fix the current budget crisis by asking the voters, and not the legislature, to fix the crisis. Do you believe that the public is willing/able to fix it? Or do you think the budget crisis should be dealt with primarily by the legislature?

California tourism expected to rise 3% this year

Good news for California's damaged economy, the state's Travel and Tourism commission predicted a 3% rise in tourism for 2010. This will be about a 5% rise over 2009. This means that about $92 million will we spent on food, lodging, and other expenses.

According to Commission head Caroline Beteta, there is greater consumer confidence in the economy and therefore traveling will continue on an upward rise. This data is based on a survey conducted by a Pennsylvania company's analysis of national economic data, unemployment rates and other factors.

Many of the tourists are expected to some from South Korea, China and Australia.

I think this is very good news. Hopefully the tourism will continue on an upward slope. I believe the state of California should also do everything it can to invest in tourism so there will be more incentive for more people to come. In LA, for example, I think the city should try and do something about all the homeless. This process will take time and money but it will do a lot of good in the long run.

Animal Abuse Registry

Many of us are familiar with the sex offenders registry. Basically, every person that is a known sex offender is recorded. Their names, along with home addresses and jobs, are listed in online registries. I'm sure you've all heard the stories where people put their address in and realize some of their neighbors are known sex offenders. Ahhhh!

In California, lawmakers are now trying to establish the same sort of system for known animal abusers. The proposal was made by State Senate’s majority leader, Dean Florez, and is the latest law in California to guarantee new rights to animals. The effort is also one of the only bipartisan efforts in the CA state government.

Many of you may remember California's Proposition 2, which gave hens, calves and pigs more room in their crates or cages. CA has also passed laws outlawing cruelty towards dairy cows for more efficient milking.

Under the proposed law, any person convicted of a felony involving animal cruelty would have to register with the police and provide a range of personal information and a current photograph. That information would be posted online, along with information on the person’s offense.

Something interesting mentioned in the article was a quote from a representative of the Animal Legal Defense Fund.

“We know there’s a link between those who abuse animals and those who perform other forms of violence,” said Stephan Otto, the group’s director of legislative affairs. “Presumably if we’re able to track animal abusers and be able to know where they live, there will be less opportunity where those vulnerable to them would be near them.”

I'm not sure this is a necessary for people to avoid when looking for a house, but I do think it's a new way to investigate possible employees. I find anyone willing to abuse a helpless animal absolutely disgusting and feel like they should pay an outrageous price. As an animal lover, I find it appropriate to list sex offenders and animal abusers in the same category. However, I can understand how some may think this is harsh.