Budget Cuts Interview

I interviewed my dad because he has strong feelings toward politics and our government.

Adam Ferreira: What are your thoughts and feelings about the new California state budget?

Russell Ferreira: The budget has its faults like any other economic plan, but for the most part it seems to set California at least back on the right track to recovery. Its massive cuts in education and transportation are scary to think about but I think if we can just tough it out for a year or maybe a few years, things will get better.

Adam Ferreira: When the budget is passed into law, do you see it impacting you in anyway? Or has it impacted you already?

Russell Ferreira: Well, I have a son in school who will suffer the education cuts and the public transportation cuts. I personally will suffer because of the rise in tuition from the school since I pay for some of his schooling. I constantly hear about how this crisis we are in is the worst people have ever seen. It's a little scary.

Adam Ferreira: If you were Governor of California what would you include in this budget? What would you cut?

Russell Ferreira: I would try to follow the example of the stimulus plan that was just passed. In my opinion, Obama's idea about rebuilding roads, buildings, schools seems to be a good one. Get as many people back to work as possible. Tax cuts for the lower and middle class and tax increases in the higher class would seem to be a good idea as well. The "trickle down" theory of the Bush years hasn't seemed to work so something new like that would be nice to see. Investing in education and encouraging more people to become teachers is also a plan I would take. I would cut funds for unemployment benefits and welfare.