$1.9 billion error adds to California deficit projection

[alp227]

Source: AP

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- Gov. Jerry Brown's administration miscalculated costs for the state Medi-Cal program by $1.9 billion last year, an oversight that contributed to Brown's projection of a deficit in the upcoming budget, officials acknowledged this week.

The administration discovered accounting mistakes last fall but did not notify lawmakers until the administration included adjustments to make up for the errors in Brown's budget proposal last week. The Democratic governor called for more than $3 billion in cuts due to a projected deficit he pegged at $1.6 billion.

"There's no other way to describe this other than a straight up error in accounting, which we deeply regret," said H.D. Palmer, a spokesman for the Department of Finance.

The agency followed its normal practice by waiting to report the errors in the governor's next budget, he said.

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CA_CALIFORNIA_BUDGET_MEDICAID_ERROR_CAOL-?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[Joanie Baloney]

1. Jeeze!

That's one big fucking error!

-JB

[RandySF]

2. Ouch

Somewhere in CA, there is a person ready to crawl under a rock.

[Crash2Parties]

3. Total budget is $167B, with a $6.7B reserve "for a rainy day"

[doc03]

4. If your facts are correct that is like something from Fox News where they just tell the part

they want you to hear. That shortfall seems kind of insignificant when you consider they have a $167B budget and a $6.7 B rainy day fund..

[Crash2Parties]

6. (links in body of comment)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article86302827.html

(many other sources, including: http://www.ebudget.ca.gov/FullBudgetSummary.pdf?utm_source=Ed100 )

[C Moon]

5. Uh oh. More GOP fodder for the in the 2018 Gubernatorial election.

They're probably wringing their hands right now with an evil grin spreading across their faces.

[Hugin]

7. Yep... And, who was it only this week announced an intention to run?

Oh, that's right... Peter "Facebook" Thiel. Looks like the Orange Riech has realized that a permanent gig is impossible without subverting CA. They've begun their misinformation campaign and the Democrats there had better get their A game going right away.

[C Moon]

8. It's beginning to sound like the Gray Davis game play.

I have a feeling if they dig deep enough they'll find GOP fingerprints in the mistake.

[olddad56]

9. It will take a lot longer before another GOP crook will govern California

[C Moon]

10. They did it mighty quick when removing Gray Davis and implanting Arnold.

Who probably wasn't as right wing as they'd hoped. But still, their scheme worked.