THE BUDGET. THE LINE. THE SAND. Politics as (un)usual: ‘Cut, baby, cut!’ No new taxes. Wishful thinking. Broken Promises. Moving prisoners around. Smoke, mirrors and catching speeders.

5/15 - a snapshot of California Policy and Politics This Morning from Rough&Tumble

Schwarzenegger's budget deals blows to the poor -- The governor unveils a proposal that would cut the welfare-to-work program and reduce child care for the needy. 'California no longer has low-hanging fruits,' he says. Shane Goldmacher in the Los Angeles Times -- 5/15/10

Schwarzenegger, Democrats stake out sides in California budget debate -- Day One of state budget negotiations went like this: Kevin Yamamura in the Sacramento Bee -- 5/15/10

Governor's spending plan cuts welfare, boosts colleges -- California would eliminate its welfare program, most state-subsidized child care and make deep cuts to prison spending, health care and human services programs under the governor's revised budget proposal unveiled today. Marisa Lagos in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 5/15/10

Economy's slow growth is of limited help to state budget -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's revised budget predicts tax revenue will grow 5.7 percent in the coming fiscal year, a gain of nearly $5 billion. But a projected deficit of $19.1 billion prompted the Republican governor to propose dramatic cuts in spending on social programs. Dale Kasler in the Sacramento Bee -- 5/15/10

Schwarzenegger calls for cutting welfare-to-work, other programs in bleak California budget -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Friday rolled out a blueprint for grim work this spring, calling on lawmakers to repair a $19.1 billion hole in the state budget largely by gutting safety net programs. Steven Harmon in the San Jose Mercury -- 5/15/10

California would be only state without welfare-to-work program -- If Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposal to eliminate CalWORKs is enacted, California would stand alone as the only state in the nation without a welfare-to-work program. Susan Ferriss in the Sacramento Bee -- 5/15/10

Final Budget, Familiar Battlelines -- Eighteen minutes. Four questions from reporters. And with that, Arnold Schwarzenegger made a beeline for the door Friday afternoon, a bit of a demeanor of frustration even as he delivered remarks full of bravado and tough talk about what he wants in the state budget. John Myers Capitol Notes weblog -- 5/15/10

Let the budget wars begin. Again. -- Advocates for the elderly, disabled, poor and others are howling about Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s May Budget Revision, which among other things would eliminate CalWORKS, the state’s welfare-to-work program, as well as most child care for the poor; slash mental-health spending by 60 percent; and freeze funding for schools, but not raise any taxes. Josh Richman Political Blotter weblog -- 5/15/10

Gov's budget plan draws Republicans' praise, Democrats' scorn -- Local Republicans praised while Democrats criticized Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposals released Friday to balance the state budget. Mike Sprague in the San Gabriel Tribune -- 5/15/10