Der Gropenfuhrer: the audit
Thurs 20 Nov 2003, LA Times, A35: New Administration Narrows the Scope
of Audit; Schw.'s advisors say there are no plans to examine the state's
finances on a scale repeatedly promised during the campaign; Joe
Mathews, Jeffrey L. Rabin, and Evan Halper.
"...There have been numerous accountings of
California's budget problems. It is solutions that in short
supply.... The absence of a comprehensive audit identifying billions in
waste already is interfering with some of the new governor's other
pledges.
"As a candidate, Schw. said he could balance the
budget by eliminating waste he found in the audit. As governor, he
has announced he would make budget cuts, but so far has not identified
any specifics. As a candidate, he said he would never spend more
money than he took in. 'I teach my kids: Don't spend more than you
have,' he said.... 'We have to teach that to Sacramento.'
"But as governor, among his first major actions was
to call a special session to put a 'deficit recovery bond' of up to $15B
before voters. That is money the state will borrow to cover the
fact that it spends more than it takes in."
