Interview on State Budget

Interview on California’s State Budget

     I had conducted an interview with a fellow neighbor in my apartment complex on the topic of California’s newly passed State Budget that was signed by Governor Schwarzenegger this past month. My intervee, Alyssa Wong is a first year freshman at San Jose State University, and is currently studying an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis on Athletic Training in the educational field. I conducted this interview with some general evidence and facts on California’s budget impact and cuts to social services and state aid to infrastructure projects. I answer several questions to Alyssa that I thought would appeal to her from educational standpoint and as a Californian. My interview is as follows:

Michael J. Langford: After hearing the general facts about Californians new budget, what is your impression about the budget now?

Alyssa Wong: I am worried about the budget, and where this money is going. Feel that the money from the budget is not enough, and feel that Californian legislatures are going to ask for more in the future when there is no more money left. I feel that the layoffs in certain services will help other services receive state aid, but concern about the negative effects with all of the cuts in state aid from the budget and how it will affect many people.

M.J.L.: Do you think this is the right budget for California right now? Why?

A.W.: I think this is not the best budget, but is necessary for now. California does need state aid to certain services immediately but as well elsewhere, and feel some major projects and services will now be held off or postponed and could be more costly in the future.

M.J.L.: Does the current $11.2 billion dollar deficit concern you now, and are you concern for the projected future $40 billion dollar 2009 – 2010 deficit?

A.W.: Yes! It concerns me with our current economy. As a college student, I am worried with the cost as of now with education and living independently. Knowing that college state aid (student loans) are being cut, will affect whether or not I can receive aid in the future, and means future education, living and even medical cost are guarantee to rise and which will be harder for me to afford while continuing my college education.

            For the future projected $40 billion deficit, also concerns me greatly. As I get closer to finishing my degree, that future deficit will effect the industry I am currently studying for which is Education. I hear the first thing in state aid to be cut, is educational services, and a future deficit of $40 billion dollars does not look promising for my future field of study. I don’t know how my job opportunities and market will be when I get there, and really worry’s me.

M.J.L: Do you feel that some budgets cuts are necessary in certain state services such as social services like the Department of Labor or Unemployment?

A.W.: Yes and no. I feel that educational services should not be cut so deeply, where schools are literally being shut down. I hear constantly on the news or through friends living back home in the East Bay of their local schools closing, which they are associated with or are currently working for. It affects the communities too much, and children who need education that is close and easy to access, and don’t like it now that they have to drive further to find a school to only be jammed into a small classroom with 30 plus students.

            I do agree that having social services such as the Department of Motor Vehicles be shut down on Fridays to save state cost, and think it is necessary to make the cuts there. Although, I do think they need to extend daily hours from Monday through Thursday to make up time for people to come to those offices and receive social services during the week since they only can come by 4 days a week instead of five.

 

M.J.L: Ok, final question. Do you think California State Legislatures and the Governor should have pay freezes or pay cuts this economic year?

 

A.W.:  Yes! Yes! There are enough Californians that are working just as hard or even more who don’t receive as much as what are state legislatures do. Many people are struggling that do not receive the benefits that state politicians receive such as premium medical care and a good income to afford private schooling for their children and nice lifestyles to afford new homes and cars which many Californians are losing through layoffs at work. I feel that state legislatures get by from pay freezes and cuts because they work for the government. I feel this is top dog privilege, and these politicians do more in their job title so they can receive a higher salary or longer term, but are willing to cut other peoples pay, hours and jobs so that they are able to keep theirs and aint right.