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128 comments on DrumBeat: June 25, 2009

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Leanan on June 25, 2009 - 9:16am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

I read one analysis that said Arizona was the state in the worst shape. Due to the housing collapse, I assume.

New York probably won't be facing the music for awhile. Unlike the vast majority of states, their fiscal year ends in March.

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Darwinian on June 25, 2009 - 9:26am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Well, I don't know about that.

Hey New York your next after California

The top honor goes to California, which is projecting that it will fall about $25 billion short come fiscal 2010. Taking second place is New York with a projected $17.6 billion deficit for fiscal 2010, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, a bipartisan policy research organization in Washington, D.C.

However on a per capita basis a lot of other states could be a lot worse.

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Leanan on June 25, 2009 - 9:30am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

New York is not in good shape. They haven't suffered the housing collapse other states have, but they are so dependent on Wall St. that they're definitely hurting.

I just don't think they'll be next, simply because they won't really have to deal with the problem until next year. Most states have fiscal years that end June 30. New York is one of four states that don't.

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nelsone on June 25, 2009 - 11:17am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

I received this today from a health-care professional friend in the SF Bay Area:

The system is falling apart already at SFGH. [San Francisco General Hospital] Elevators not working, computers slow, all of the medical assistants laid off (so we do the work they used to do) - 8% pay cut coming soon and likely another 10-12 % to follow soon after. It seems we are seeing the effect of the economic and social stress on the pregnant women, nobody is normal any more, everyone gets severe preeclampsia or preterm labor at 29 week or horribly protracted labors. Yesterday I took care of three women with preeclampsia and slow labors all day, all three ended up with cesareans.

Just a reminder that the $24 billion shortfall in CA is a lousy metric of the scope of the true problems there.

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blondieBC on June 25, 2009 - 11:38am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Any idea how much nurses in CA make?

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Wharf Rat on June 25, 2009 - 11:46am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

I was making $33 + shift differentials as a respiratory therapist when I retired in Oct. Nurses salaries are higher.

Salaries for new RNs in California range between $83,000 and $89,000 per year
The average hourly wage in California is about $40-46/hr for staff nurses
More experience and more education means more money.
http://www.choosenursing.com/for_you/salary.html

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nelsone on June 25, 2009 - 8:01pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Yes, Wharf Rat:
toward the high end of your RN range.

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ericy on June 25, 2009 - 4:33pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

And all of this is going to lead to more foreclosures, more bankruptcies, and more deflation in housing prices...

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totoneila on June 25, 2009 - 9:36am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

My AZ Asphaltistan could quickly be in the very worst shape if a whole bunch of Cali-consumers bail out and relocate here. But it is now our blazing heat season, therefore my guess is that any relocating Calis are probably headed more North. Is Cascadia ready?

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Shamba on June 25, 2009 - 2:22pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Part of it is housing, of course. But part of it is also we're so dependent on sales tax as a revenue source. I read somewhere--sorry I can't provide a link--that 55% of our revenue has shrunk because of sales tax falling as well as other taxes here.

Our legislative drama this spring has been as dramatic as California's, but doesn't get the same coverage in the media. I've had friends, working in State government, go to half time for a few weeks and then go back to 38 hours a week. This is in the agency I used to work in before I retired. Two or three staff able to retire did so in face of having to go to half time. That saved the agency some money. this is a small agency and non-essential to state services. If there's no budget by next Tuesday, my friends will spending a lot of time at home!

Negotiations are underway but they could fall apart. this is a nasty argument between a republican dominated legislature and a Republican governor. She was not elected; she took over after Janet napolitano went to D.C. In my view, the governor is practical and humane, she supports a small tax rise, subject to the approval of the voters this fall. the legislative republicans look like really mean minded next to her.

just my 2 cents and anecdtoal look at the situation,
Shamba

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Leanan on June 25, 2009 - 2:27pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Our legislative drama this spring has been as dramatic as California's, but doesn't get the same coverage in the media.

Yes, and I think that's true of a lot of states. California and New York get all the attention, because they are so big. And also because the right-leaning financial types just can't resist a dig against the two most influential "blue" states. But there are a lot of other states in the same pickle.

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Lynford on June 25, 2009 - 4:12pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

States like many businesses thought the prosperity would never end and further, they don't think it is over, just a mini-pause.

Criticism is not limited to party affiliation. California and here in Nevada legislators were spending money like it was free, thank you. Rather than be conservative with taxpayer’s money, the legislators (either party) just spend it and get all the bells and whistles too. Who cares if the kids don’t get educated? We need a new soccer field.

Just like the post yesterday about visiting a city hall and asking, “What if things get worse?” Absolutely clueless and I for one have been and still am POed. (that's not Peak Oiled, though not a bad idea in these times. Say what Airdale?)

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128 comments on DrumBeat: June 25, 2009

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