California Finds Pot of Gold Hidden in State Accounts

Facing crippling deficits that have threatened California's vaunted quality of life, the discovery of more than $286 million in state accounts will come as a welcome relief. A sweeping state audit, however, raises more questions than it answers.

1 minute read

August 6, 2012, 9:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj

It turns out the shocking discovery of $54 million hidden untapped in two of the California Department of Parks and Recreation's funds, as mass park closures loomed, was just the tip of the iceberg. Chris Megerian and Paige St. John report in the Los Angeles Times that an audit launched in the wake of the parks scandal has found more than $286.5 million that "lawmakers were unaware of as they repeatedly cut government services."

"The new discovery includes about $30 million for healthcare programs,
almost $29 million for reimbursing crime victims and $12.5 million for
cleaning up underground petroleum tanks. It follows revelations that
nearly $113 million was languishing in a recycling program funded with
consumers' bottle deposits and $54 million had gone unreported by state
parks officials."

According to Megerian and St. John, "The irregularities are a particular distraction for [Gov.] Brown as he pushes
voters to pass billions of dollars in tax increases on the November
ballot. Recent opinion polls have suggested many voters want some sign
that California's fiscal house is being put in order before they will
give more money to Sacramento."

FULL STORY: California finds $119 million more in untapped funds

Saturday, August 4, 2012 in Los Angeles Times

Government / Politics California Budget Deficits California Department of Parks and Recreation Hidden Funds

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.