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Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected to release a revised spending plan tomorrow that will include deep cuts into California’s health and social service programs. With revenues and requested federal funds both having fallen short of expectations, the state could once again be facing a budget deficit in excess of twenty billion dollars. On Friday, State Controller John Chiang reported that California’s latest tax revenues fell short of projections by 3.6 billion dollars while the Department of Finance noted that the state has received slightly less than 3 billion dollars in federal aid of the 6.9 billion requested by the Governor in January. Given that and given Schwarzenegger’s reluctance to raise taxes to bridge the gap, wholesale elimination of programs and severe cuts are expected to come and disproportionately affect California’s most vulnerable populations. Angered by the priorities of the Governor, the Health and Human Services Network in California and its allies will be in Sacramento this week as the new budget is released to deliver 10,000 letters to state leaders and lawmakers voicing displeasure saying that the cuts will not only diminish social programs, but eliminate jobs and imperil the state’s economic recovery.

GUEST: Nancy Berlin, Director of California Partnership

Find out more at www.california-partnership.org and www.hhsnetworkca.org.