California like Minnesota is in a world of budgetary hurt. Except the scale is so much larger. California is the 8th largest economy in the world. Because of irresponsible Republican fiscal policy and the insanity of ballot resolutions, they're slashing all services to the poor.
The parallels between MN and CA do not exactly line up, but the effects will.
In both states, education encompasses a vast amount of the state's budget. Class sizes will balloon to unheard of sizes. In both states, Republicans always seek to slash health insurance to the poor. Most dangerously, millions of the working poor will no longer have health insurance. Millions of the mentally ill will no longer receive treatment and medication. In California, they are worried about people dying in the streets.
Is California a harbinger of things to come for Minnesota? Probably.
Because of MN Governor Tim Pawlenty's presidential ambitions, he is unwilling to negotiate with the Democrat-controlled legislature. Pawlenty has no interest in finding a responsible way to solve our deficit without hurting those least able to adapt to massive cuts.
He is willing to sacrifice the sick, the mentally ill and the poor on the altar of his presidential ambitions.
Here's an expose by Al Jazeera on California's impending Arnold-made disaster (h/t to MyDD):
