Balancing the California budget Republican-style
Former extra conservative Republican candidate Bill Simon has released his budget hoping to continue to play a role in the California governor recall election circus that is unfolding according to this San Francisco Chronicle story. The budget appeals to the anti-tax Republican voters who were his core supporters...that is, anyone who's well-off and doesn't need lifesavers such as Medi-Cal or ADAP (AIDS Drugs Assistance Plan):
Under Simon's plan, the state would sell $800,000 worth of surplus land and buildings and save $3 billion by rooting out fraud in government programs, $4. 6 billion by forcing every state department to cut costs by 6.5 percent and $4. 9 million by slashing 19 government programs, many of them serving the poor and the elderly.
Specific cuts include eliminating cost-of-living increases for many people receiving state benefits, cutting grants to the disabled, slashing scholarship aid at state colleges and universities, requiring co-payments for Medi-Cal and AIDS Drug Assistance Plan recipients and eliminating all optional Medi-Cal services, such as artificial limbs, diabetes testing supplies, wheelchairs and oxygen tanks.