<p>Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is proposing to completely eliminate **the states welfare program for families, medical insurance for low-income children and **Cal Grants cash assistance to college and university students.</p>
<p>The proposals to sharply scale back the assistance that California provides to its neediest residents came in testimony by the administration this afternoon at a joint legislative budget committee hearing. It followed comments by the governor earlier today that he would be withdrawing a proposal to help balance the budget with billions of dollars of borrowing and replacing it with program reductions.</p>
<p>The proposals would completely reshape the states social service network, transforming California from one of the countrys most generous states to one of the most tightfisted. The proposals are intended to help close a budget deficit estimated at $21.3 billion.</p>
<p>Eric Bailey
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<p>The complete elimination of Cal grants might have seismic consequences at colleges in California. For example, the Cal Grant at private colleges such as USC is up to $9,708. If these are eliminated, how many students at these colleges could no longer afford to attend?</p>
<p>Californians have lived beyond their means for a long, long time.
Time for the UCs to have to compete on their merits, rather than their subsidized advantages.
I would like to think that they are willing to cut the fat and provide a student friendly experience. But they won’t. Rather they will conflate their own interests with those of their students in time honored political fashion. Get ready for the squeals.</p>
<p>I’d actually worry more about the kids at public colleges. USC can did deep into it’s endowment and find another $10K for it’s poorest students. The UCs and CSUs, already strapped and without big endowments, can’t do that. This, combined with reduced service at community colleges will be disastrous for the poor and middle class.</p>
<p>What did Californians who said no on Tuesday think would happen? And I’m not saying they should have voted for more taxes, just that there seems to be a belief that nothing was going to change.</p>
<p>At least this past Tuesday’s “fixes” were no fixes. They were more like borrowing from one thing to pay for another thing. It’s just stupid in general. Arnold can’t put bogus propositions into the ballot and then blame the voters for not understanding how the propositions will help.</p>
<p>Arnold has officially insulted the working and poor class of California for proposing the elimination of Cal Grants. How dare he compare Cal Grants with “welfare”?</p>
<p>Students who come from disadvantaged communities and still were able to make it to college, are the ones most deserving of this help. </p>
<p>There are so many good things that come out of education. One dollar spent on education in the UC would result in 6 dollars output later on, and it seems Arnold does not care about this. </p>
<p>Oh please, it is totally the voters fault. 30+ years of entitlements for everyone and out of control spending. Now it’s time to live within your means CA. It’s going to be painful. </p>
<p>While I don’t agree with this particular cut this is what happens when you let the state be an out of control nanny. Arnold did not create this mess but he has to deal with it.</p>
<p>Other states don’t have similar grants and their students still find some way to go to college. Emails from FA offices are saying that NEW grants for incoming 2009/2010 students will be canceled; rather than whining about your shiny toy being taken away (while others are starving and out of work) go figure out how you are going to pay for your education. Just like everyone else in the US. </p>
<p>California has been riding on an unrealistic gravy train for decades. That train has stopped. Now you need to find your own way - be grownups and get the job done.</p>
<p>Really? I did not know this, and as a CA taxpayer, I am amazed that CA students can receive this much taxpayer money to help pay for private USC, when the same amount (or less) would pay for an entire year’s tuition at a CA state school.</p>
<p>Bay, but they get the same maximum amount no matter where they go. There isn’t enough space at the UCs for all the qualified students. If some go to privates and get the privates or Feds to make up the difference between that COA and the UCs aren’t they creating more space at the UCs for others? I don’t know the current tuition only figures but the COA of the UCs is close to 25K.</p>
<p>In addition to the above, the UCs and CSUs are heavily subsidized by the taxpayers and cost the taxpayers far more than $9,708 per student per year - even if they do not receive Cal Grants.</p>
<p>And I will say again what was stated above - the $9,708 is the Cal Grant amount for private universities in California - not just for the university used as an example.</p>
<p>That figure includes room and board. I believe tuition alone is $7-8k. A large percentage of CA residents can find a UC or CSU within driving distance of their homes. (There are 3 within 20 miles of my home, for example).</p>