California (Still) in the Hurt Locker

Four months after passing their "fix" for California's budget, it appears that the fiscal deficit for next year will be a paltry 20 billion or so (too bad California isn't the Federal government, they could just print this money and get on with life). That's quite some sticker shock. No doubt the politicians are getting straight to work. They will come up with a realistic plan that will set California's fiscal house in order for the generations to follow. How about this brilliant idea from State Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg: California needs to focus on rebuilding the tax base" by "using our fiscal levers to increase the number of high-wage jobs." Oh...I see. Why didn't other states think of this? If you need high wage jobs, just create them. Mr. Steinberg is on the fast track for a Pulitzer Prize in economics.