Zeev's Turnips Patch-No Politics (ZEEV)

[basserdan]

Hi ml,
Signs of the times......

Calif. Near Financial Disaster
Hours Remain to Solve $38 Billion Shortfall

By Rene Sanchez
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, June 30, 2003; Page A01


LOS ANGELES -- Any day now, community colleges here may begin telling faculty members that they cannot be paid and students that summer classes are canceled.

Nursing homes are losing so much state aid that many soon may have to shut down or limit their services, a prospect that has elderly residents confused and frightened.

As many as 30,000 government workers who had been expecting pay raises in the fall are instead receiving formal notices warning that they could lose their jobs by then, because the state is broke.

This is life in California, on the brink of a fiscal disaster.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A48925-2003Jun29.html
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Shutdown of New Jersey Government Looms as Budget Deadline Nears

The Associated Press
Published: Jun 29, 2003

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - New Jersey lawmakers, deadlocked over the state budget with a Monday night deadline looming, have told state workers to monitor news reports to learn whether they should report for work in case of a government shutdown Tuesday.
Aides to Gov. James E. McGreevey cautioned Sunday that all nonessential government services must cease if no agreement is reached by July 1.

"Beyond those core functions related to public safety, the government would not be open," said Micah Rasmussen, a spokesman for the governor.

State police, prison employees, medical personnel and Division of Youth and Family Services caseworkers would be among those that would report to work, Rasmussen said.

Lawmakers made little progress during the second day of special weekend sessions, and a government shutdown seemed more likely with each passing hour. Republicans and Democrats blamed each other for pushing New Jersey's government to the brink of closure.

Democrats charge that Republicans have refused to negotiate seriously, and appear determined to shutter state offices to make a point.

Republicans counter that Democrats were unwilling to back down from $800 million in new taxes and fees.

AP-ES-06-29-03 2308EDT

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGAJWFBWJHD.html
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