Suing to Stop Spending Cuts in California

Brian Doherty | August 10, 2009

As noted by Jesse Walker in the morning links earlier today, various folk are suing--and winning--to stop the state of California from actually accomplishing various budget cuts in its controversial new budget.

I give more details and links to even more, more details on the hows and whys at my California news and politics blog "City of Angles" today. Even Schwarzenegger's use of a line item veto to trim is being legally challenged, by the state Senate's Democratic leader Darrell Steinberg.

For more on why California is in this fiscal mess to begin with, and on the feckless establishment reaction to the crisis, see Matt Welch's column from Reason magazine's August/September issue.

Comments

hmm|8.10.09 @ 2:06PM|#

California is turning into France and the US is following.

Sue, protest, sue, protest, sue, protest, sue, protest, bitch, whine, drink wine, eat cheese, sue, protest, sue, protest...

All of it being driven by a few self serving special interest groups.

kinnath|8.10.09 @ 2:09PM|#

Time to boot California out of the union.

kinnath ca. 2000AD|8.10.09 @ 2:14PM|#

Time to vote California off the island. That is my final answer.

Gilbert Martin|8.10.09 @ 2:18PM|#

When the court rules that some entitlement can't be cut, it's time for Arnold to emulate Andrew Jackson's reply to the Supreme Court:

"They've made their decision, now let them enforce it."

Tomcat1066|8.10.09 @ 2:20PM|#

Yep. If there were any doubt in my mind, it's now gone. California is good and truly fucked.

Space Fiend|8.10.09 @ 2:22PM|#

I don't understand why the Democrats are trying their damnedest to bankrupt the state- I would have thought, that of all things, that one, final, grand issue would unite everyone to face hard choices.

Who was I kidding? Socialism knows no reason.

|8.10.09 @ 2:25PM|#

Funny how many people think their pet project is so much more important than everyone else's.

*I wonder if I can pick up Hearst Castle at the Bankruptcy sale?*

Daniel|8.10.09 @ 2:34PM|#

Suing to prevent the government spending less? How can budget cuts be ruled as illegal?

Fuck that! Let's start suing increases in government spending and make that illegal.

Shannon Love|8.10.09 @ 2:38PM|#

At this rate I am wondering how long it will take courts of law to devolve back to the courts of kings. It does seem like the modern judiciary sees no limits on its mission or powers.

Xeones|8.10.09 @ 2:42PM|#

Yo, fuck California.

Joe M|8.10.09 @ 3:19PM|#

The emperor wears no clothes. Why? Because he can't afford them.

|8.10.09 @ 3:28PM|#

What is that term "parasites killing the host"? Honestly, what do these clowns think is going to happen besides bankruptcy and the eventual end of the state government as they know it?

|8.10.09 @ 3:47PM|#

Honestly, what do these clowns think is going to happen besides bankruptcy and the eventual end of the state government as they know it?

(1) Magical federal bailout, and/or

(2) Raising taxes on the Evil Rich. Because they are rich. And evil.

|8.10.09 @ 3:57PM|#

Well RC, if the Dems get kicked out of the House in 2010 or have a small majority, they can kiss a bailout goodbye. These people are like coke heads playing the lottery to support their habbit.

Alice Bowie|8.10.09 @ 4:02PM|#

John,

When the DEMs get kicked out in 2010...there will STILL be a bailout.

Only, instead of healthcare, education, and employment efforts...the Bailout will go to WARS, Haliburton, Black Rock, Lockhead...and, of course, the HOLY Rich.

If you ask me...and I know u r NOT asking...I'd rather help out the little guy.

|8.10.09 @ 4:05PM|#

If you ask me...and I know u r NOT asking...I'd rather help out the little guy."

Like pensioners making 250 K a year

Alice Bowie|8.10.09 @ 4:06PM|#

Like pensioners making 250 K a year

Still better than helping out dick cheney.

And besides, anyone making $250k or more is RICH...and a target for OBama

Warty|8.10.09 @ 4:20PM|#

Alice is a devastating parody.

Alice Bowie|8.10.09 @ 4:23PM|#

Look, it's just my opinion.

Bush Spent $11b per month...and the same people on the streets (mostly conservatives) said nothing.

It's just my opinion that if we are going to spend money on a procurement scam...why not help out the little guy and the regular guy.

I know you libertarians and conservatives feel that its best the help the rich since they will, in turn, with their gracious charity, help the little and regular guy by creating jobs...I just simply don't agree with you.

And I don't think that merits insults.

|8.10.09 @ 4:31PM|#

"I know you libertarians and conservatives feel that its best the help the rich..."

No.

Conservatives may feel that way.

Libertarians have no more use for corporate welfare than the other kind. The people on this website have not been cheering for the bailout.*

*Of course, maybe you think GM, Chrysler, Goldmann Sachs, et al are "little people."

Warty|8.10.09 @ 4:34PM|#

And I don't think that merits insults.

Of course it merits insults, you stupid little pustule.

|8.10.09 @ 5:03PM|#

Let me get this straight. Because Bush spent too much money, it is okay for the Dems to spend more. Ahh Ok.

Rich|8.10.09 @ 5:07PM|#

The lawsuits are "a product of the desperation of the people trying to forge budget agreements," said Jean Ross, executive director of the California Budget Project, a think tank that analyzes the effects of spending policies on low-income Californians.

How's "wildfire season" looking?

Naga Sadow|8.10.09 @ 5:58PM|#

Alice, my love. Don't pay any attention to John. He doesn't get the partisan jabs when they are aimed at him.

Yours always,

Naga Sadow

P.S. KEEP DOPE ALIVE!!!

|8.10.09 @ 6:10PM|#

I know you libertarians and conservatives feel that its best the help the rich

What's your next guess?

Libertarians don't FEEL, we KNOW that's best to let people keep what they earn, whether they're rich or poor. History shows this, time and time again.

-jcr

|8.10.09 @ 6:11PM|#

It's just my opinion that if we are going to spend money on a procurement scam...why not help out the little guy and the regular guy.

These are bogus options. The choice that matters isn't who gets the stolen money, it's whether or not to steal it in the first place. I say leave that money in the hands of whoever earned it.

-jcr

|8.10.09 @ 6:13PM|#

I am wondering how long it will take courts of law to devolve back to the courts of kings.

That happened a long time ago. I'd place it around the time of the slaughterhouse cases.

-jcr

|8.10.09 @ 7:46PM|#

This reminds me of when my county sued itself and lost.

Alice Bowie|8.10.09 @ 8:40PM|#

Where were the "TEA PARTY" people when $11Billion per month was spent on Iraq. Countless amount of money going to Africa, Israel, Latin America, etc.etc.etc.

To republicans, Health-Care is a Special Interest. Yet, War, is a valid expense.

hmm|8.10.09 @ 9:18PM|#

Alice, no one here will argue with that. You see most here are not republican. I know. It's confusing. But don't worry it will be okay.

Alice Bowie|8.10.09 @ 9:39PM|#

It's hard to tell people that the Government (us, the taxpayers) should pay for healthcare...but we have to pay for Israel/Iraq/Africa/etc.

I mentioned this in another article.

I don't want the PRESIDENT to have the LINE ITEM VETO. I want the PUBLIC to have the LINE ITEM VOTE for items running more than $Billion per month.

I just don't understand anymore. I can vote on whether a couple of fags can get married in San Fransico. I would vote YES. Because it's non of my business what people do. But, I can't vote to STOP MONEY going to Halliburton.

Bush specifically insisted and public funding should not go to Abortion...because people are opposed.

|8.10.09 @ 9:45PM|#

Here in Florida, which is in fairly good fiscal shape, the government(s) are taking advantage of the "crisis" to sharply increase all sorts of fees. Bet they don't go back down after things get better.

The Libertarian Guy|8.10.09 @ 9:46PM|#

"…which means the people of Alabama sued themselves. They said, 'I'm taking your ass to court! And I'm gonna squeeze your nuts, Bubba! You'll never have a proper dental plan again!'"

- Comedian Lewis Black

Gilbert Martin|8.10.09 @ 9:48PM|#

"If you ask me...and I know u r NOT asking...I'd rather help out the little guy."

Then go ahead and help him out - with your own money.

Nobody is stopping you.

But seeing as how there is literally not one single thing you have ever done in your entire life that ever had anything whatsoever to do with me having anything that I've got. I'm not inclined to entertain the notion that you're qualified to volunteer my money for your favorite charity.

Gilbert Martin|8.10.09 @ 9:50PM|#

"To republicans, Health-Care is a Special Interest. Yet, War, is a valid expense."

War IS a valid expense. It's actually something that is pursuant to a ennumerated power delegated to the federal government in the text of the Constitution - as is required by the 10th Amendment.

Unlike a government mandated socialized medicince system.

|8.11.09 @ 11:43AM|#

>Where were the "TEA PARTY" people when >$11Billion per month was spent on Iraq. >Countless amount of money going to Africa, >Israel, Latin America, etc.etc.etc.

>To republicans, Health-Care is a Special >Interest. Yet, War, is a valid expense.

Could it be that the Republican outrage is somehow linked to the fact that a black man is in charge? Nahhhh....

Keep in mind I agree that Obama is digging a deeper hole... I hate the stimulus and the auto bailout. Basically, all it's accomplishing is shoring up Democrat support groups. :(

The Libertarian Guy|8.11.09 @ 5:30PM|#

"Could it be that the Republican outrage is somehow linked to the fact that a black man is in charge? Nahhhh...."

Horseshit, unless you're talking about the *minority* of "Republicans" who are actual, bona-fide racists. If you've ever met one, you'd know the difference.


Not that I belong to that party - or the other one - but let's not sully the dictionary definition of racism with useless Democrat talking points.