Where does all that money collected by outrageous taxes, fees, fines, and costs go in California? (2015, schools)

[citizensadvocate]

California has among the highest of all those I mentioned above compared to most parts of the country or world maybe with the exception of certain European countries. Though I wonder where does all the money go? How come our roads, transportation infrastructure, and public facilties are still in such awful shape compared to many other states and countries?
Taxes are very high and there are just more and more of them coming, not to mention "fees" which are "tax" that falls in the loophole requiring public approval. Fines including so much costs and fees that end up tripling and quadruping the cost depending on the location. But where do they all go? The schools are a mess, the freeways and streets are crumbling and trashed, mass transit poorly laid out, not user friendly, and always running into issues. The CAHSR project seems to be just a dream that will never be completed.
I visited states where there are alot of rain and even snow and even in those harsh circumstances they appear to keep their roads clean and smooth I wonder why?

[Electrician4you]

General fund. Where it gets spent like a sailor on leave in Thailand

[honobob]

A yuge portion of it goes to protect Maids from the Guvenator's sexual advances.

[citizensadvocate]

Originally Posted by Electrician4you

General fund. Where it gets spent like a sailor on leave in Thailand

Though where all the money in general fund goes to? Why the state is in poor shape? Despite having 30 + million people paying outrages money to the government. It appears general funds seems to be a big mysterious black hole. We can also ask where all those court fees on tickets goes to? Are courts really that expensive to operate in CA?

[DenaDude]

Originally Posted by citizensadvocate

Though where all the money in general fund goes to? Why the state is in poor shape? Despite having 30 + million people paying outrages money to the government. It appears general funds seems to be a big mysterious black hole. We can also ask where all those court fees on tickets goes to? Are courts really that expensive to operate in CA?

Enacted Budget - Enacted Budget Summary

I guess google must be broken on the OP's computer.

[citizensadvocate]

Originally Posted by DenaDude

Enacted Budget - Enacted Budget Summary

I guess google must be broken on the OP's computer.

I read it but this doesn't explain the reality of the situation in California why everything is in poor shape.

Why are California's roads so bad? - LA Times

Why are California's roads so bad?



California: High Taxes, Democrats, & Big Problems | National Review Online

[DenaDude]

Originally Posted by citizensadvocate

I read it but this doesn't explain the reality of the situation in California why everything is in poor shape.

Why are California's roads so bad? - LA Times

Why are California's roads so bad?



California: High Taxes, Democrats, & Big Problems | National Review Online

First off, maybe you should read the article you posted?

And secondly, when it comes to surface streets, I take it you've never been on roads in places like St. Louis, Chicago, Detroit, Milwaukee, etc. Potholes so big they could swallow your car whole.

[citizensadvocate]

I did, in the end the simple answer is the state just cannot manage itself.

[DenaDude]

Originally Posted by citizensadvocate

I did, in the end the simple answer is the state just cannot manage itself.

So if you already know the answer why are you asking a question?

[neutrino78x]

Well, our state Constitution mandates that 50% of the general fund is spent on education.

Another 40% is tied up in various other things due to parts added to the Constitution by voter initiatives.

The State Legislature and Governor can only negotiate on like 10% of the budget.

Our state Constitution is one of the longest in the world, at over 100 pages.

The state badly needs a Constitutional Convention.

This is why, despite being a moderate liberal, I typically vote for Republicans for state and local office. For example, I voted for Schwarzenegger both times, and last time, I voted for Meg Whitman rather than Jerry Brown. Meg Whitman was the Republican running against him, the former CEO of eBay.