California Debt Higher Than Earlier Estimates, a Task Force Reports (i.e. Deadbeat California may still need to start issuing IOUs at some point)

Quote from Deusxmachina : "and an estimated $40 billion bill to bring drinking water up to federal standards." wut.

That water must be rough out there...

It doesn't help that the Republicans pushed through unfunded mandatory sentencing laws that put away drug offenders for 25 years and made our prison budget swell to nearly $9 billion/year.

Quote from Rebound : It doesn't help that the Republicans pushed through unfunded mandatory sentencing laws that put away drug offenders for 25 years and made our prison budget swell to nearly $9 billion/year.

But why does it cost CA approximately $50,000 per year per prisoner other states do it drastically cheaper? TX is approximately $15K.

Quote from Rebound : It doesn't help that the Republicans pushed through unfunded mandatory sentencing laws that put away drug offenders for 25 years and made our prison budget swell to nearly $9 billion/year.

What about all of those democrats who are friends of the union thugs and allow correctional officers to rake in six-figures in some cases (and then use those salaries to justify outrageous pensions?

Quote from homers : But why does it cost CA approximately $50,000 per year per prisoner other states do it drastically cheaper? TX is approximately $15K.

Of course it's insane. It's a racket. Go ahead and drink the Kool Aid that makes you think Democrats are solely to blame. Who passed all the prison bonds and mandatory sentencing laws in the first place? The GOP. And with the world's highest incarceration rate, our crime rate is not getting better. America, the land of liberty and freedom, imprisons more people per capita than any other nation. More than China. Maybe we aren't so free after all.

California is invested heavily in blue model ideas. Their government is dominated by politicians elected by public/ government unions. That in turn has made the state overly expensive as politicians bow to public union demands of generous pay, benefits. Green groups also dominate, creating mountains of regulations on businesses.

The old blue model used to work in California when times where good. Now, in tougher economic times, the old policies are bankrupting the state. It is a sight to see. Governor Jerry Brown has had cities go bankrupt, with more to come, and yet wants to build a $100 billion dollar train. The train makes some sense in the old days. The rail line will use union labor, could be sold to the public as creating quality jobs, and is supported by powerful green groups. Those are all wins for a blue politicians in previous times.

Now, from outside the state, it has the appearance of the bizarre.

Californians though do like the blue social model. They seem to be in denial about the debt they are in, believing the good times will continue. I hope they are right. Saw this article yesterday about Californian approval for the high costs of their state.

"In the 2012 race, California is just an ATM"

http://news.investors.com/politic...-money.htm

Quote from Rebound : It doesn't help that the Republicans pushed through unfunded mandatory sentencing laws that put away drug offenders for 25 years and made our prison budget swell to nearly $9 billion/year.

Perhaps the Dems should do away with those laws

Quote from Rebound : Of course it's insane. It's a racket. Go ahead and drink the Kool Aid that makes you think Democrats are solely to blame. Who passed all the prison bonds and mandatory sentencing laws in the first place? The GOP. And with the world's highest incarceration rate, our crime rate is not getting better. America, the land of liberty and freedom, imprisons more people per capita than any other nation. More than China. Maybe we aren't so free after all.

Of course Dems aren't solely to blaim, but CA is a liberal haven. republicans and their policies have a minimal effect.
This argument you're making, would be like saying Texas is falling apart because of all those meddling Dems farking everything up.
It's nonsense...

Quote from OhNoItsDEVO : Of course Dems aren't solely to blaim, but CA is a liberal haven. republicans and their policies have a minimal effect. This argument you're making, would be like saying Texas is falling apart because of all those meddling Dems farking everything up. It's nonsense...

lol exactly.

Quote from OhNoItsDEVO : Of course Dems aren't solely to blaim, but CA is a liberal haven. republicans and their policies have a minimal effect. This argument you're making, would be like saying Texas is falling apart because of all those meddling Dems farking everything up. It's nonsense...

It's too bad the CA coast can't get rid of inland red areas so this were actually true.

Quote from agent00f : It's too bad the CA coast can't get rid of inland red areas so this were actually true.

So you're under the impression that these inland red areas are calling the shots?
Tell me more about all of these conservative policies, that are holding California back...

Quote from OhNoItsDEVO : So you're under the impression that these inland red areas are calling the shots?

They apparently have quite the representation:

Quote : Tell me more about all of these conservative policies, that are holding California back...

Supermajority to raise taxes.

Quote from agent00f : Supermajority to raise taxes.

Yet, somehow CA has some of the highest state taxes in the country.

Quote from Rebound : Of course it's insane. It's a racket. Go ahead and drink the Kool Aid that makes you think Democrats are solely to blame. Who passed all the prison bonds and mandatory sentencing laws in the first place? The GOP. And with the world's highest incarceration rate, our crime rate is not getting better. America, the land of liberty and freedom, imprisons more people per capita than any other nation. More than China. Maybe we aren't so free after all.

Do you understand what "per prisoner" means?

Quote from homers : Do you understand what "per prisoner" means?

Do you understand what "per capita" means? We have the highest incarceration rate in the world, yet crime keeps going up. Doesn't that tell you that incarceration is an ineffective deterrent, especially to drug use?