Moonbeam Revisited

In his eighth decade, California Governor Jerry Brown grapples with some of the most intractable budgetary problems extant in this Republic. Adam Nagourney of The New York Times writes a sympathetic, essentially positive portrait of the man who has been both California's youngest and oldest governor.

He is still the quirky, personally frugal man who years ago, in his first term in Sacramento, earned the moniker "Governor Moonbeam." He faces very difficult problems and I wish him well.

The long article concludes with a hint that Brown may end up coming forward with a true austerity budget. I'll make two suggestions for ways to cut state spending.

Release on parole all state prisoners with no history of conviction for violent crimes. As a result of the reduction in prisoners, close extra prisons and layoff unneeded guards.

Move all state employees who are less than 40 years old over to a defined contribution retirement plan. Most of that contribution should come from the employees.