Shocking, but perhaps partially true! The California legislature did not pass a truly balanced budget last week, resulting in Governor Jerry Brown's veto of the budget. Democrats want to raise taxes and Republicans want to cut programs, hence the trouble in agreeing on a budget. Because they failed to approve a balanced budget, California State Controller John Chiang (D) has decided to strip them of their pay. They will not be able to collect a paycheck until they agree on a balanced budget, as they are mandated to do per the state constitution. If only we could strip the United States Congress of their pay whenever they failed to balance the books!