California: Out Of Cash?
Posted by Michelle Moquin on February 17th, 2009
I am a local girl – was born in the Bay Area…San Francisco to be exact. Lately so many of my girlfriends have been posting old high school pictures of ‘the gang’ on facebook. It has been a trip reconnecting with so many and seeing the past pics.
I remember when I graduated from Redwood, so many of my friends were just dying to get out of here. Many moved out of state and a few to LA where they went to college, or just to get away to some where new. Me? I did the LA thing but only for a year to go to fashion design school, and then I headed back to Marin. And shortly thereafter….San Francisco.
I know it may sound weird but during my short time living In LA, I would drive back home for the holidays, and the closer I got to home, the more everything looked so much cleaner, clearer, and brighter. Even the air was different. In LA, the grime and city gunk clung to my hair daily. And in the Bay Area, it was rare that I had a bad hair day. That being said though, I still enjoyed the fast-paced life in LA and I still frequent it and think, ‘Could I live here again?’ Hmm…I may be a California girl, and I may love to party in LA, but my heart belongs to San Francisco. The city by the bay always calls me back.
My point being that when all of my friends were jonesing to get out of here, I never lost my appreciation of the clean air, the steep SF hills, The glorious Mt Tamalpais, and jaunts to my favorite local beach, Stinson.
Whenever someone said, ‘I’m outta here!” I would say, ‘Go. Leave and experience. You don’t appreciate what we have here…..you’ll realize and you’ll be back.’ How could one not appreciate one of the most amazing places on earth? Everyone wants to live in the Bay Area – People flock from all over the world, and I am blessed to have been born here. I know no different.
Not to say that I have not traveled. I have. I have visited some of the most beautiful cities and some of the poorest countries in the world. And I have an appreciation for all of them – they are all special in one way or another. But my heart is here. Not to say that I could not live somewhere else for a little while; I could. Although, I don’t live in the city I still call San Francisco my home. I am a bridge away and there as often as I can be. I will move back there someday soon. But in the mean time, I have never run short of appreciating my blessedness of living here.
And then today when I read that the State of California is headed off the fiscal rails, my heart sank. My beloved city, resides in a state that has fallen into deep financial straits.
The state, has laid off scores of workers and put hundreds more on unpaid furloughs. It has stopped paying counties and issuing income tax refunds and halted thousands of infrastructure projects. This morning, 20,000 layoff notices will go out.
Why? Because California is nearly out of cash – Could we go bankrupt? How is that possible that a state, with one of the most famous, most visited cities in the world, is nearly out of cash?
California has also lost access to much of the credit markets, nearly unheard of among state municipal bond issuers. Recently, Standard & Poor’s downgraded the state’s bond rating to the lowest in the nation.
California’s woes will almost certainly leave a jagged fiscal scar on the nation’s most populous state, an outgrowth of the financial triptych of above-average unemployment, high foreclosure rates and plummeting tax revenues, and the state’s unusual budgeting practices.
“No other state is in the kind of crisis that California is in,” said Iris J. Lav, the deputy director of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a liberal research group in Washington.
Let me repeat….”No other state is in the kind of crisis that California is in(!)” I knew it was bad here; it has affected me and I can see the effects all around me…but this bad?
California’s legislature is dominated by democrats. No surprise here. Leaders have been unable to gather enough support from Republican lawmakers, who tend on average to be more conservative than the majority of California’s Republican voters. Governor Schwarzenegger has failed to muster votes among lawmakers in his own party. Again, no surprise.
Furthermore, Republican leaders in the Senate and the Assembly who have agreed to get on board with a plan have been unable to persuade a few key lawmakers to join them. The package needs at least three Republican votes in each house, to join with the 51 Democrats in the Assembly and the 24 Democrats in the Senate. We know the Republicans are holding things back. Again, no surprise here either.
“It is a dramatic time,” said Darrell Steinberg, the State Senate’s president pro tempore. “The solvency of the state is on the line. It is really quite a system where the fate of the state rests upon the shoulders of a couple of members of a minority party. The system frankly needs to be changed.”
Hmm…Isn’t that interesting. Once again, “the fate of the state rests upon the shoulders of a couple of members…”
“Yes, we need change. How many times do we have to say it?”
Oh, what’s a California girl to do?
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Hi ZL: Good to finally catch up again. And thanks for the dedication and appreciation. I’m happy my comment was an inspiration for your write. :)
Ciao ciao….
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: Your Bad Ass Bitch Editor
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February 17th, 2009 at 11:10 am
Hi Mischa,
I was in love with LA for long time and just when I was missing greenery, the Singapore thing happened, I must say – upon return I looked around at this mainly cement city and thought ‘wtf happened?’ but it was me that changed and now I just make sure I catch my balcony’s ocean ‘peek’ or walk by the beach or just generally appreciate my beachin’ life : ) but that being said, I could live somewhere green again and be perfectly happy. I love Stinson Beach, also…the company I keep upped the level of the experience though : )
Misch, I am a dedicated loyalist to people who deserve it and you do. Please do not let me find out you’re a serial killer bc I would still try to defend you until solid evidence presented itself, the stress would just be too much : )
Re: California – don’t quote me on this but I believe we lost a lot of industry/companies to other states/countries due to a tax increase awhile ago, I’ll have to research that one but that would’ve been some major revenue, not sure what the Arnold can do to fix that now. Of course, along with other important services, education is taking a major hit, and we are going to be sending some seriously lacking US brains out into the world in a decade or so, what a shame.
Luv, Zen Lill
February 18th, 2009 at 6:24 am
Although Proposition 13 has done well for many people in this state, it has reached a point to which it is now outdated. This, and especially now with the reduction in property values and reducing property taxes, the state will be losing some much needed revenue.
Prop 13 must change…I can’t believe I just said that…but, it will bring this state down in the future.
This is NOT a business friendly state. The costs for doing business in CA are outrageous. The insurance costs are killing businesses which is a primary reason for many businesses leaving. California is certainly one of the greatest places to live, which helps to drive the spirit in those many creative people in Biotech, Internet, and Green Technologies that continually drives the innovation of the world, but can it last if the state remains business UNfriendly…?
February 18th, 2009 at 6:59 am
This is so exciting and so scary at the same time. When a ray of solar energy heads towards you at million miles an hour you feel the thrill of being able to negotiate it and the fear of making a mistake that could cost you and your fellows their lives. It is a real kick!
LorI
February 18th, 2009 at 7:18 am
Can a black man get in? I’ve been trying to get in for three days going on four. I keep getting “you said that.”
I originally wrote about the golf special “Uneven Fairways.” It is about the discrimination of black players by the PGA. There is a very interesting book called “Uneven Lies.”
But to make sure that this is not a excuse to get the “you said that” message let me comment on this mornings cartoon in the New York Post. The cartoon features two white cops shooting a chimpanzee and saying /Users/apple/Desktop/0218_nypost_alsharpton_bn.jpg “They’ll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill.”
This is disgusting.
Roberts
February 18th, 2009 at 7:41 am
You niggers are just too touchy.
February 18th, 2009 at 7:43 am
I’m with you about the nigs. That Al Sharpton is a race bater.
February 18th, 2009 at 7:45 am
Face Book tried to take ownership of all the pictures and materials on it site. The resulting protests caused them to recant. This shows how greedy these bastards will be if allowed to operate unchecked.
February 18th, 2009 at 7:50 am
I keep getting “Duplicate comment detected.” This is the most difficult site to post on. I’m giving up.
February 18th, 2009 at 7:54 am
Now I get in. Okay I just wanted to say that I often have an off morning. But I love reading your blog Michelle
February 18th, 2009 at 7:57 am
I hope Madaline finds a way to stay around. We have lost four of the nine women who work here due to the economy. To lose Madaline too would be too much
Linda
February 18th, 2009 at 7:59 am
It seems that we can get in today. I have been trying for two days. Now what do I say. First I hope you stay around should Michelle leave. And Dnsr I hope you get some help. It seems that the world is treating you and your people with neglect.
Marsha
February 18th, 2009 at 8:02 am
It seems that Madaline is going the way of Howie and Al. I miss those two because they made me laugh. The girls had their favorites. Mine was Howie because he was so cool with his relationship with Carr.
Delihia
February 18th, 2009 at 8:04 am
They elected that monkey. Don’t expect us to like it.
February 18th, 2009 at 8:05 am
I’ll say this for the monkey president at least he did marry a white woman like the monkey on the golf course.
February 18th, 2009 at 8:07 am
We white people have to speak up. The airways are being filled up by these niggers who think they are equal to good white people. My father says that he remembers when niggers new their place.
Brittany
February 18th, 2009 at 8:16 am
I can’t believe all the venom being spewed about the monkey issue. It is obvious to anyone who is not in denial that this was a racist insult to President Obama. Just like the many who refer to President Obama as Barack Obama rather than to call him President Obama.
Since there were no complaints about that slight, one should expect that racist white would move to the next level. If there is no big out cry about this monkey slight, the next will be even worse.
Larry
February 18th, 2009 at 8:51 am
Face Book tried to take possession of all the material we posted on our sites. This is why we need a diligent Federal Government. If it were not for that independent group checking on the Face Books of the world for the little people we wouldn’t know.
Thanks girls and guys
Toni
February 18th, 2009 at 9:13 am
Hi Michelle, this is Howie who used to comment often on this Blog. I am outraged and horrified by these comments about “Monkeys” and Black people, especially our President Obama, who we, the people, elected and is trying his damndest to put this Country back in order.
Let’s give credit where it is due and keep the racial bullshit we have all heard for the past three hundred years, out if this.
God created Beings in many colors, shapes, and sizes. That adds to the variety and beauty of our Planet and the Universe.
If our civilization is ever going to move forawrds socially, we must get over these ancient prejudices which have caused nothing but wars, destruction and death to millions on our Planet alone.
Its about time we grew up as a species. I personallly am delighted that one barrier has been broken and a qualified Black Man has been elected by citizens of all colors and Nationalities, as President of the USA.
For those who thrive on HATE, why not try hating those who HATE. The World will thank you for your efforts.
It felt good to get this off my chest, Michelle.
HOWIE
February 18th, 2009 at 9:42 am
Cheers to that and welcome back, Howie! I’ve missed you and Al but hate to mention it bc if you wanted to be here and comment you would, you obviously don’t for as variety of reasons, and I’ll respect that, but my two is: come on back and speak your mind anytime : )
Doug, I think the tightening of EPA standards (a good thing for the environment) sent companies packing for – oh say – Mexico, so they could ruin the planet and get great tax incentives for moving there.
Ok, ck back later for Mischa’s writes!
Caio, Zen Lill