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California To Make Big Cuts After Special Election

By: Ariana Duarte

California voters sent a clear message to lawmakers after defeating five of six budget-related propositions at the polls Tuesday.

"An overwhelming majority of people told Sacramento, go and do your work yourself don't come to use with your problems," said Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Propositions 1-A through 1-E were all shot down, most, with more than a 65% "no" vote.

The measures were meant to plug a portion of the state's 21-billion-dollar deficit through a combination of tax hikes, borrowing, and earmarks for education.

"For the state to spend $100-million on another election, to get zero results from it, which is what we got, I think that's really irresponsible," said Ben Bergquam, founder of conservative group "Patriots for America's Independence."

Bergquam says the low voter turnout at the special election was no surprise.

Counties across the state report a preliminary 23%, something Bergquam says shows just how fed up Californians have become.

"When it's this huge crisis about not having enough money and we need the American people to stop spending and all our government is doing is increasing their spending it just doesn't make sense and I would say the American people and California are finally starting to get frustrated with it," said Bergquam.

Meanwhile, Schwarzenegger says while he respects the will of the people, the defeat of the

special election package means severe cuts to things like education, law-enforcement, and healthcare will soon be on the way.

"There was a clear "no" on all of those issues and so now we have to recognize that and move forward and make all of the changes through cuts," said Schwarzenegger.