The California state budget stalemate has turned into something of a Mexican standoff, with two unlikely duelers in the faceoff being Sen. Dave Cox (R-Fair Oaks) and First 5 Amador.

The longtime Republican senator, whose district includes Amador County, recently took to slamming the state's First 5 programs for "hoarding" $2.5 billion in a slush fund for parental getaways and belly dancing classes.

With the state budget now several weeks past due, Cox said a likely record delay should prompt the governor and state lawmakers to take a closer look at existing government programs that are not providing basic and necessary services, such as First 5.

"Fifty-nine First 5 bureaucracies are hoarding $2.5 billion in savings accounts and dolling out millions on administrative costs and 'fun activities,'" he said in a release from his office. "It is time to reprioritize as First 5 is not maximizing tax dollars to provide health care or to help with the state's looming budget crisis."

First 5 Amador Executive Director Nina Machado said she respectfully disagrees with the senator.

"For every dollar invested in this type of program, we reap long term savings from a decrease in future public interventions, including remedial education, criminal justice and welfare," she told the Ledger Dispatch.

Machado added that all funded programs receive progress reports. Based on these reports, determinations are made on whether funding is being spent wisely. If not, the programs are discontinued.

"We are aware that revenues will decline, therefore, good fiscal stewardship is essential," Machado said.

Proposition 10, which created the First 5 program, was passed in 1998 and added a 50-cent surcharge per pack of cigarettes for its funding. Formed to help needy children, the program is now totaling $600 million annually, most of which is controlled at county levels. Machado said the purpose of Proposition 10 was to support and improve the early development of children from pre-natal stage to 5 years.

"Programs that First 5 supports include pediatric oral health, developmental screenings, family violence reduction, nutrition and anti-obesity efforts," she said.

First 5 Amador also partially funds two communities, Pine Grove and Camanche, so families can receive assistance in health insurance enrollment such as MediCal. Machado said having these sites in the unincorporated areas of the county is even more important now with the cost of fuel preventing some from accessing services.

The organization recently announced another round of yoga classes for children in Pine Grove in September.

Cox has proposed Senate Bill 3X 16 as a way to bring fiscal relief and local school funding. "SB3X 16 would pay to provide health care for 200,000 kids who are currently eligible for Healthy Families, which is a successful program with a proven track record of helping needy children," he said in a release.

Legislative analyst Elizabeth Hill proposed reducing 43 state-mandated K-12 spending programs, also known as "categorical," down to four basic grant programs that would free up approximately $2 billion. Her proposal indicates that each district in the state would then receive funding and grants based upon their priorities, making it easier to set the 2008-09 education budget that may go up by less than inflation.

"At a time when children and families are being cut from Healthy Families and MediCal, First 5 is spending taxpayer dollars on programs that have questionable benefits for needy children and their families," Cox said. "If families have to choose between music circles or receiving health care, I think they would pick the latter."

Local concern over the state budget process has extended elsewhere.

On July 28, a resolution was passed unanimously by the Jackson City Council "opposing fiscally irresponsible state budget decisions." As recommended by the League of California Cities, Jackson joined with many sister cities in exhorting the state legislature to "Cut Up Its Local Government Credit Card."

Referencing two propositions passed by wide margins of approval by California voters, the resolution states that the city of Jackson "opposes any and all efforts by state government to "borrow" or seize local tax funds to finance state operations." Proposition 1A in 2004 and Proposition 42 in 2006, with approval margins of 84 percent and 77 percent respectively, were meant to protect local government and local transportation funds.

On Sunday, the California Assembly met for the first time in five years to consider a budget proposal advanced by Assembly Democrats, an effort that ultimately proved unsuccessful.

Jerry Budrick contributed to this report.