By the end of December, a balanced state budget was nowhere in sight, with local groups fretting about the premonition of diminished cash flow and the possibility of further delays to state-funded projects.
State Controller John Chiang already warned that the state may run out of cash in February if lawmakers do not agree on a balanced budget — likely a mix of tax hikes and program cuts. But Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger already nixed one possibility Dec. 19, days after California’s top fiscal board voted to freeze billions of dollars in funds for state highway, school and other infrastructure projects.
Flad to step in as new city manager
Assistant City Manager Mike Flad is set to take the helm of Burbank’s executive team in January when outgoing City Manager Mary Alvord retires after decades of service to the city.