Gov. Schwarzenegger's May budget revision proposes total elimination of CalWorks—the state's welfare program that provides minimal cash payments and job training to poor people with children, as well as the state's child care programs.   The governor's budget also contemplates a 60 percent cut in mental health programs, while preserving Cal Grants college scholarships and preventing additional cuts to child welfare, foster care, public safety and the judiciary.

Democrats vow to fight the cuts. "It would be an immoral budget," says Assemblyman Bill Monning (D-Carmel), "and I think the real question for Californians is, is this the state we want to live in?" There are other solutions, Monning says, like taxing the wealthy more, but he says the governor isn't willing to consider those solutions. 

If the past in any indication, legislators will likely fight over the spending plan well past the start of the fiscal year July 1.

 (Assistant Editor Kera Abraham contributed reporting to this story)