Cut to the Bone!

Matt Welch | June 19, 2009

A snapshot of pared-to-the-bone governance in California, courtesy of the L.A. Times:

Los Angeles County government has more than 8,000 phones that never ring. The annual cost to taxpayers? At least $1.5 million and climbing.

Officials worry that some lines may have never served a county purpose. One was registered to a now-defunct ticket brokerage in Hollywood called Theatix. For 14 years, the bill for the line -- currently $38 a month -- has been paid by taxpayers.

Give them some time; they're living in twilight: