California controller to suspend tax refunds, welfare checks, student grants

[Chris]

The state will suspend tax refunds, welfare checks, student grants and other payments owed to Californians starting Feb. 1, Controller John Chiang announced Friday.

Chiang said he had no choice but to stop making some $3.7 billion in payments in the absence of action by the governor and lawmakers to close the state's nearly $42-billion budget deficit. More than half of those payments are tax refunds.

The payments to be frozen include nearly $2 billion in tax refunds; $300 million in cash grants for needy families and the elderly, blind and disabled; and $13 million in grants for college students.

Even if a budget agreement is reached by the end of this month, tax refunds and other payments could remain temporarily frozen. Chiang said a budget deal may not generate cash quickly enough to resume them immediately.


LA Times

[RobJohnson]

Wow. This is going to put a crimp in things!

[Chris]

I wonder what will happen to the illegal population once the state stops handing out money.

[RobJohnson]

I wonder what will happen to the illegal population once the state stops handing out money.

They will head to Phoniex. 

[Eupher]

From the article:

Schwarzenegger, who hopes to speed up public-works projects to stimulate the economy, wants tax increases, spending cuts and legislation to relax some environmental rules and allow private companies to do some government construction.

Democrats are seeking tax increases as well, but fewer spending cuts. Republican lawmakers would only pare spending and have been blocking any tax hikes.

Meanwhile, Schwarzenegger has ordered that most state workers take two days off per month without pay -- equivalent to about a 10% pay cut. The governor also ordered most state offices -- including all DMV field offices -- to close on those two days. The order is being challenged in court by labor unions.

Despite his muscle-bound physique (well, what it USED to be), the Governator appears to be impotent.

At least Ah-nuld himself doesn't have to order himself to take off without pay - if memory serves, he's working pro bono.

[NHSparky]

Hope ya'lls insurance covers riots this time.  Nothing worse than a welfare queen being told they have to get off their dead asses cause there aren't any more handouts.

[Atomic Lib Smasher]

Well, since half the people of CommieFornia believe in wealth distribution, including Hollywierd... they should be able to have their money taken from them "for the common good".... or else, they're just ChickenReds. 

[NHSparky]

Well, since half the people of CommieFornia believe in wealth distribution, including Hollywierd... they should be able to have their money taken from them "for the common good".... or else, they're just ChickenReds. 

How much you want to bet most of those "good commies" are actually Florida, etc., residents on the advice of their accountants?

[Atomic Lib Smasher]

How much you want to bet most of those "good commies" are actually Florida, etc., residents on the advice of their accountants?

I wouldn't doubt it.

[Tess]

This is the first step in spreading the wealth, isn't it?  So it is good, right?

/sarcasm

Looks like we got out while the gettin' was good!

[Chris_]

So, that money, that they took from us, now they are keeping it?
Taxes sound more and more like theft, don't they?

[jendf]

They will head to Phoniex. 

Not likely. Sheriff Joe has done a terrific job of sweeping a whole lot of illegals out of our city. That's why he was re-elected for a 5th term.

Couple his efforts with a new law that went into effect last year that punishes employers for hiring illegals, and you have a not so welcoming city for illegals anymore. Thank goodness.

Illegal Californians would be pretty stupid to come here at this point.

[Tess]

So, that money, that they took from us, now they are keeping it?
Taxes sound more and more like theft, don't they?

And it is legal because it is the Govt. doing it.  Any other situation and the consumer could take it to court and get what they are owed.  Where is the next Boston Tea Party going to be, I wonder.

[Chris_]

And it is legal because it is the Govt. doing it.  Any other situation and the consumer could take it to court and get what they are owed.  Where is the next Boston Tea Party going to be, I wonder.

Perhaps you California workers should just submit revised W-4 forms to your employers claiming 6 or 7 exemptions in order to cut off/minimize your contributions to this corrupt system, if they are going to withhold your refunds.......turn about is fair play, so they say........

doc

[Chris_]

So, that money, that they took from us, now they are keeping it?
Taxes sound more and more like theft, don't they?

If I was owed a Tax refund I would go to court and argue pretty much that: This isn't the State's money to withhold.  It is MY money that I overpaid to the State.  Holding it is illegal conversion, pure and simple.  The Tax refunds legally and morally should be the top of the list of things to pay.

[Tess]

Perhaps you California workers should just submit revised W-4 forms to your employers claiming 6 or 7 exemptions in order to cut off/minimize your contributions to this corrupt system, if they are going to withhold your refunds.......turn about is fair play, so they say........

doc

Well, we aren't in Ca anymore and this pretty much sums up why we left and why so many businesses we work with are leaving.

[Chris_]

If I was owed a Tax refund I would go to court and argue pretty much that: This isn't the State's money to withhold.  It is MY money that I overpaid to the State.  Holding it is illegal conversion, pure and simple.  The Tax refunds legally and morally should be the top of the list of things to pay.

I kinda like where you are going, except, you did not pay the state. THEY TOOK IT. BY Coercion(1.    the act of coercing; use of force or intimidation to obtain compliance.
2.    force or the power to use force in gaining compliance, as by a government or police force.)