OC Welfare Programs At Risk In Push To Recover $48M From Calif.
SANTA ANA (CBS) — Public health programs in Orange County could face substantial cuts if officials are unable to recover $48 million in loans to the state of California.
KNX 1070's Ron Kilgore reports Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Campbell is set to meet with lawmakers in Sacramento over a deal that may leave the county unable to fund community clinics and social services.
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Campbell hopes to convince legislators to return the money received from California vehicle license fees under terms of a guarantee to pay off the county's 1994 bankruptcy debt.
After reaching a balanced budget for 2011-12 following years of cutbacks, the county may have to lay off as many as 250 employees, drop $35 million in new programs, and cut an additional $13 million if the state fails to repay the funds.
Assemblyman Jose Solario (D-Anaheim) has proposed a temporary fix for the budget shortfall that must pass before legislators go home Sept. 9 or the layoffs would take effect immediately.
In addition to the license fees, California owes Orange County $91 million and wants to house state prisoners in local jails that would otherwise take beds away from federal inmates that the county could sell at a profit.
