I'm not a big fan of Southern California which has gone to hell but Northern California is gorgeous. You folks on the East Coast and Mid-West are freezing your nipples off while we bask in the sunshine here in the middle of January.

Once the euphoria of taking in the beauty and warmth has warn off I wake up and realize my paradise is ruled by fools.

I say California residents should put a measure on the next ballot which requires the State Controller put a hold on all lawmakers salaries and heads of State until such time a balanced State budget is passed.



SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California's controller says he will begin a 30-day delay on tax refunds and other payments starting Feb. 1 because the state is running out of money. Controller John Chiang said Friday he must delay $3.7 billion in payments next month because lawmakers have failed to address California's growing deficit. With a $41.6 billion shortfall over the next year-and-a-half, the state is on the brink of issuing IOUs. Chiang says his office must continue education and debt payments but will defer money for tax refunds, student aid, social services and mental health programs. A severe drop in revenue has left the state's main bank account depleted. The state had been relying on borrowing from special funds and Wall Street investors; those options are no longer available.