Hello from screwy California. Yes. I live in that wonderful state that is facing a 42 billion dollar deficit. Deep doo-doo, serious stuff.
We’re not like some little two bit rinkydink state (apologies to New England, Rhode Island, Hawaii, and everyone else I just offended) that needs money. I don’t think non-Westerners realize just how big California is, in terms of size, population and its eeekcomy. California is a country unto itself, and I didn’t make that up because I live here. According to various GDP listings, it would rank somewhere between 7th and 10th in the WORLD if it was considered a country.
That’s a lot of lattes.
So yes, this is serious stuff coming down the pipe - and very soon. We were told by our tax advisor not to expect a tax refund from the State anytime soon. They’ve been delaying a whole bunch of bills, cutting back jobs everywhere. And the word is that if some sort of budget deal is not reached TODAY, the State will lay off an additional 20,000 people.
Twenty thousand.
And now… I suppose I should do the courteous thing and not make the obvious joke. After all, there are thousands of livelihoods at stake here.
Oh, all right, just one.
Headline News: California to lay off 20,000 workers if budget deal is not reached. Sources are mixed on whether or not pink slips will go out with a handwritten note from the governor saying: “I’m sorry. You’ve been Terminated.”
Source: CNNnnnn
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February 17th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
When I read this, I wasn’t surprised since things have been leading up to this point for some time now (with the time off issues to try and compensate for budget problems that took place in the recent past).
I often try to convey to the Japanese how huge America is compared to Japan (and why we don’t have the same sort of culture everywhere so I can’t tell them what “American” culture is so easily), but I think your statistics about California go a long way toward making that clear. Some states are bigger than some countries. California alone has roughly 1/4 Japan’s population and 1/3 it’s size. That’s just one of 50 states in the U.S.
February 17th, 2009 at 9:10 pm
You know things are bad when the government is laying people off, you usually have to commit a felony to lose those jobs.
I’ve been following this since I have one last (partial year) tax refund that I will ever get from California. I fear I may have to write it off as a loss, not being able to vote there any more puts me at the bottom of the list. I’m interested to see what will happen with the IOU they send. Will any bank accept them? Will my bank in Illinois laugh me out of the building?
I think I read somewhere that California is now the 9th largest economy, so it looks like they’re starting to slip. It doesn’t look good. I worry for my friends who’ve yet to escape.
February 18th, 2009 at 10:07 am
@orchid - It’s pretty amazing how big California’s eeekconomy is - I knew it was big, but I didn’t realize how big. Actually, the same goes for many of the other states in the U.S. compared to other nations.
@holly - I’m wondering about the tax refund too, I guess I won’t count on it. I’ve lived in California all my life - so I’ve grown a little attached to it (and its neuroses). I used to REALLY want to get out, maybe to Oregon or Washington, but in the last 5 years I’ve grown a little proud of being a native California. Well also, you know what they say about the grass always being greener…
February 18th, 2009 at 10:32 am
Every time I mention that I moved from California, people around here ask why I would leave there and move somewhere that snows. I tell them about the budget crisis, the water and power shortages, and the insane cost of everything, and they’re shocked. People outside the state don’t realize how bad it can be.
As far as the grass being greener, it is! Literally! I swear I saw more living plants driving through the Nevada desert than I did in California.
February 19th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
I was sent here by a link on Cheap Eats, and had to comment. Rhode Island is a New England state, Bryan.
February 19th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
@tim - I think I was being facetious but maybe it’s not obvious… me actually calling New England a state should be a tip off =)
February 20th, 2009 at 11:29 am
I heard they finally passed a budget. Who knows what this means for those of us waiting on payments.
February 26th, 2009 at 6:37 am
I didn’t think any state could be in worse shape than Michigan, but I think California might have it. I’ve considered moving, but to go where is always the question and would it really be any better.
February 26th, 2009 at 10:20 am
@holly - yeah, I breathed a little sigh of relief, but still I wonder if we’ll be getting an IOU for taxes…
@tammy - I’ve actually contemplated moving to Michigan - it’s sometimes hard trying to talk to people about hockey here in California =)