Governor Schwarzenegger spoke to a joint session of the legislature this morning, outlining his plan for cuts in the state budget in an effort to close the $24.3-billion budget gap. The governor defined the problem early in his speech, "Our wallet is empty. Our bank is closed, and our credit is dried up. I know, for many of you, these will be the hardest votes that you will ever make. But the people sent us here to lead not only in times of prosperity, but also in times of crisis."

Among other proposals, the governor demanded that more than a dozen state departments, boards and commissions be eliminated, "I will not cut a dollar from education, or a dollar from health care, or a dollar from public safety, or a dollar from our state parks, without first cutting the Waste Management Board and other boards like it."

Schwarzenegger's focus was on restructuring government in addition to making cuts in health care, education and public safety to cut the budget deficit. He says he believes the legislature can fix the budget before the July 17th summer recess.