Encourage more school districts to implement school breakfast programs by providing a 50% increase in the state's reimbursement rate for school breakfasts. (WG, 2006)
The California budget includes $400 million to implement a broad strategy to ensure that California is ready for public health emergencies and is properly equipped to handle them. This funding will enable the state to increase patient care capacity (also known as "surge capacity") to achieve the levels recommended by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). In the past, California has responded to "moderate" local or regional public health emergencies, such as a fire, flood, explosion, or earthquake, with up to 10,000 casualties over a limited period. Measured against federal HRSA benchmarks, California needs to increase response capacity in some areas. Emergency planning experts agree that the most critical element in preparing for surge needs is the development of hospital and community surge plans, and the training and recurring exercise of those plans. Given that the development of surge plans is a fundamental element in the protection of residents of California, it is appropriate that the State provide leadership and assistance in ensuring that these plans and subsequent exercises and training are completed. The May Revision includes nearly $14.5 million to resource positions in hospitals throughout the state, dedicated to surge capacity planning, training and exercises. The May Revision provides $4.0 million for the rapid development of state guidance on the specific licensing flexibility, liability protection, and reimbursement that will be provided to health facilities, licensed professionals, and volunteers during an emergency response effort. (CG, 2006)
Lastly,...
California stated that an allocation of $19.9 billion in new general obligation bonds for transportation and air quality projects would occur, including traffic congestion relief, public transportation, port improvements, highway safety, seismic retrofits, and railroad crossings. Existing sources for transportation projects include $26.4 billion in state and federal fuel taxes and weight fees that are being used for capital purposes. This excludes funding for maintenance, planning, and other non-capital purposes. Additionally, $526 million is expected to be available from tribal gaming revenues and bonds and $8.6 billion from Proposition 42. Both the tribal funds and the Proposition 42 amounts exclude funds that are dedicated to local streets and roads, the Traffic Congestion Relief Program and transit operating subsidies. (CG, 2006)
Wisconsin on the other hand report that an allocation of 44 billion on Wisconsin's transportation system through a 16% increase in funding over the biennium. Preserve and continue to grow Wisconsin's vital transportation infrastructure to meet the needs of Wisconsin's residents, businesses, industries and visitors in the next biennium and beyond by increasing automobile and truck registration, and title transfer fees. (WG, 2006)
It is amazing that two places could have such similar concerns and needs. California and Wisconsin both allocate large amounts of money for areas of life that residents of these states may not even begin to understand to what magnitude they effect everyday life. One major difference is only the amount of money being allocated and in some instances the specification of where the money will be utilized.
References
California Government (2006, May). Revised Budget…
