Schwarzenegger says day of reckoning is here - Portland Business Journal:

caloloary.blogspot.com
“California’s day of reckoning is here,” he With no action, the state could run out of cash in 14 Three months after the state budget was California facesa $24 billion deficit. Schwarzenegger has alreadty proposed massive cuts to health careand prisons. Now he’s looking for structural reform to make government more efficien t and stretchtaxpayer dollars. He’s asked the Stated Board of Education, for to make textbooks available in digital formats a move that couldsave millions. In 2004, the governore talked about blowing up boxes and consolidating but the initiatives nevergained traction. They’rse back.
Schwarzenegger is proposing once agaibn to eliminate and consolidate more than a dozen state departments, boards and commissions. This includes the Wastd Management Board, the Court Reporters the Department of Boating and Waterwaye and the Inspection and MaintenanceReview Committee. Earlier this year, the state began consolidating informationtechnology departments. Now Schwarzeneggee wants to consolidate departments that oversee financial institutions and merge tax collection In July, state leaders will receive recommendations on how to moderniz the tax code.
“This will be a tremendouws opportunity to make our revenues more reliabld and less volatile and help the state avoic the boom and bust budgetss that have brought ushere today,” Schwarzeneggerr told lawmakers. It’s not going to happen in 14 he said. But it could happe n before the Legislature adjourns for summer recess onJuly 17.