With California having a deficit of over $19 billion, it’s no wonder why Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the legislators in Sacramento are having a hard time finalizing the annual budget.

Colleges across the state are taking a big hit this month due to the affects of this delay.

In the “animal house” environment the state legislature operates, students are the main victims this year as they seek higher education, in a poor economy.

It has been made a habit to delay California’s budget in recent years; with 2008 being the last year Cal grants have been delayed for low-income students.

Cal grants were state funds that were supposed to be distributed last Friday, but have been delayed because of the annual budget.

This year, similar to 2008, is an election year. Many politicians in charge of deciding on the budget are preoccupied with other duties, not in their job descriptions, while students stand and suffer silently.

There is still no sign of the state budget being passed any time soon.

The California legislature has successfully made it even harder for students to receive funding for classes, right before 9-week classes begin at Cerritos.

It’s up to students to contact their representatives and let them know that a budget needs to be passed, or California’s future economy will be in even worse shape if the work force hasn’t been able to receive adequate education.

Apparently, the California government’s primary priority isn’t education; especially since education seems to fall below elections and the deficit.

What affects alumni most about this situation is that up to $1,551, promised to them for last Friday, isn’t in their hands.

It would take at least one month to process and distribute the money from the date the budget is signed, so don’t check your HigherOne accounts any time soon.

About 60 percent of college students are going to receive their Cal Grant awards late.

Not only do financial aid recipients get to ogle at their empty bank accounts, but the funding in many colleges has also been affected by budget delays. So, let’s get moving Arnold.