Ventura County Star Stories: State

Eight reasons why budget's in bad shape

therdt@venturacountystar.com (Timm Herdt) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 07:01:00 -0000

On this weekend of celebration in America, California finds itself in an uncomfortable position at the birthday party. It’s the state all the others are snickering about behind its back because it has a hole in its budget larger that most states’ entire budgets, has just about run out of cash and has been forced to start paying many of its bills with IOUs.

Menus serve up calorie counts

lmckinnon@venturacountystar.com (Lisa McKinnon) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:00:00 -0000

An order of onion rings at Carl’s Jr. has always had 530 calories. The difference on Wednesday was that customer Jessica Coe was legally entitled to that information — and she ordered the onion rings anyway.

“I’m on vacation. But I might read about calories if I was on a diet or worried about it,” said Coe, 18, sitting in a booth at the fast-food chain’s location on Las Posas Road in Camarillo.

IOUs, proposed cuts to education after budget deal fails

therdt@venturacountystar.com (Timm Herdt) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:00:00 -0000

SACRAMENTO — Trying to put the best spin on a botched standoff that saw state officials late Tuesday night squander a one-time chance to cut $3 billion from California’s budget shortfall, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Wednesday that at least schools were spared from having to absorb the loss of funds.

Commission votes to cut state legislators' benefits

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:10:00 -0000

The California Citizens Compensation Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to cut state legislators' monthly car allowances, fringe benefits and their per diem allowance by 18 percent.

State budget deal goes bust

therdt@venturacountystar.com (Timm Herdt) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:01:00 -0000

Less than three hours before their deadline, state lawmakers and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger showed no public signs that an agreement was in the cards late Tuesday night to close California's $24 billion budget shortfall ¿ and it appeared that their stubborn stalemate could make the problem more than $5 billion worse.

Clock ticking on last chance to plug state budget gap

therdt@venturacountystar.com (Timm Herdt) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:39:00 -0000

With the state fiscal year set to end at midnight tonight, and with it the irretrievable chance to pare $3 billion from the expiring year’s budget, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger continued to engage Democratic legislative leaders in a game of brinkmanship on Monday — demanding agreement to policy changes as his price for supporting the $3 billion package of spending cuts.

The actions, which are part of Schwarzenegger’s overall budget plan, were approved without dissent on bipartisan votes in the Assembly last week, but stalled in the Senate for lack of Republican support. Because they would have to take effect immediately, they require two-thirds majority support in the Legislature.

Freeze on Healthy Families enrollments begins July 17

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:31:00 -0000

Anticipating state funding cuts, administrators voted Monday to freeze enrollments in the state’s Healthy Families program, which provides subsidized health insurance for children.

State budget measure fails in vote today

therdt@venturacountystar.com (Timm Herdt) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:09:00 -0000

SACRAMENTO — As Controller John Chiang warned that he will have to begin issuing IOUs on July 2 unless the state’s budget shortfall is closed by then, legislative efforts to solve the problem crashed today into a wall of partisanship.

State constitutional effort on track, backers say

therdt@venturacountystar.com (Timm Herdt) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 07:01:00 -0000

Leaders of the movement to call California’s first constitutional convention since 1879 said Monday they are on track to draft the ballot initiatives that will be necessary so the question can be put to voters in the November 2010 election.

State Senate to consider budget fixes, including tax measures

therdt@venturacountystar.com (Timm Herdt) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 07:01:00 -0000

The Senate is expected to take a stab at closing California’s $24 billion budget shortfall Wednesday, but there is little optimism that much will come of it other than defining the lines of difference between Democrats and Republicans.

Corporate tax breaks in dire time draw flak

therdt@venturacountystar.com (Timm Herdt) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 07:01:00 -0000

As most Californians are well aware, there were a lot of losers in the two state budget deals crafted last September and again in February.

Budget fixes moving ahead

therdt@venturacountystar.com (Timm Herdt) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:00:00 -0000

SACRAMENTO — Nearly six months into a harrowing, roller-coaster year of dealing and redealing with financial crises, California lawmakers and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger are heading toward a June 30 deadline to avert a state fiscal meltdown essentially just $2 billion apart.

Lakers championship party loud, colorful

dlassen@venturacountystar.com (David Lassen) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:08:00 -0000

LOS ANGELES — The fellowship of the ring is now a little larger.

With a parade and rally Wednesday celebrating their 2009 NBA championship — the fourth in 10 years — the Los Angeles Lakers reached out to embrace their fans, and their fans returned the affection.

Long wait worth it for Lakers fans at Coliseum

mhernandez@venturacountystar.com (Marjorie Hernandez) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:38:00 -0000

In the Baxter household, growing up watching the Los Angeles Lakers is a rite of passage.

So it was a no-brainer for Simi Valley resident Kevin Baxter to wake up at the crack of dawn Wednesday and join tens of thousands of screaming Lakers fans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Baxter wanted to see the 2009 NBA world champions.

Bill would impose tougher regulations on personal trainers

kgregory@venturacountystar.com (Kim Lamb Gregory) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 07:01:00 -0000

California physical trainers could face weightier regulations if a bill working its way through the state Legislature becomes law. Senate Bill 374 would require physical trainers to have either a four-year degree in kinesiology, fitness or exercise science, or certification from a specific national independent organization that the bill has yet to specify. The bill was introduced in February by Sen. Ron Calderon. D-Montebello.

$15 vehicle surcharge might keep parks open

therdt@venturacountystar.com (Timm Herdt) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 01:28:00 -0000

Is it worth $15 per car to Californians to keep open 220 state parks and to receive free day-use admission to every park in exchange? That’s the up-or-down proposal of legislative Democrats approved Monday by the Budget Conference Committee. The action was one of dozens of votes on many of the state’s most contentious budget issues as lawmakers scrambled to finish off a plan to close California’s crippling $24.3 billion shortfall.