ESA receives $282,794 reimbursement from California

by Alexander Sliwinski { Aug 5th 2008 at 2:30PM }

The ESA, after a series of recent blows, is certainly becoming a more transparent organization -- and adding just a hint of badass to its rep. As a warning to all the other states out there looking to take on the industry with unconstitutional legislation, the ESA has placed an image of California's $282,794 legal fee reimbursement check in its latest press release. That's like the business equivalent of putting your enemy's head on a stick on the front lawn.

The ESA states that "California deserves more" than politicians pursuing "flawed legislation" and lists several places that California would have been better served spending the cash on (listed after the break). Most depressingly for California taxpayers is that this check isn't even the end of the story. The state is currently appealing the judge's injunction on the game law. Meaning, if the courts maintain the same ruling, then the ESA is going to get even more cash from California's piggy bank.

ESA's ideas on where California should focus its efforts:

California is currently facing a $15-billion budget gap^[1]
More than 10,000 California state employees were laid off last week in light of the budget crisis^[1]
Governor Schwarzenegger is seeking to cut wages for nearly 200,000 state employees^[2]
The state already cut 10 percent to its Medicaid reimbursement rate and deferred payments to vendors^[3]

[1] "Schwarzenegger makes layoffs, orders pay cuts for California state workers" - Los Angeles Times, August 1, 2008
[2] "State agencies affected by Schwarzenegger's order" - Associated Press, August 1, 2008
[3] "California Is Among States Struggling With Budgets" - New York Times, August 3, 2008

Tags: breakingnews, california, california-game-law, esa, game-law, legislation

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

LordKelvin @ Aug 5th 2008 2:36PM

As the saying goes, all politicians are the same: they build bridges where there are no rivers.

Ignatius @ Aug 5th 2008 2:38PM

I like how the ESA is pointing out things that California should actually focus on. That's like a big punch in the balls that Schwarzenegger needs.

F1 & The day I beat Ghost and Goblins @ Aug 5th 2008 2:51PM

True but will he listen? The guys so single minded at times I doubt he remembers he has balls!

Paul @ Aug 5th 2008 3:13PM

Pretty sure the steroids took care of the balls long ago. Wait, this isn't Deadspin...my bad.

Metal Gear!? @ Aug 5th 2008 2:41PM

Freaking California, we have enough problems without having stupid things like this happen.

Let's waste money and go after video games.

But, what about the schools?

Screw the schools, our children are playing games not intended for them because their parents are too busy to do their job as a parent, and they are buying these games for their kids. It is the games' fault.

Aren't the parents responsible then?

Of course not, that would make things too easy.

NoHitHair @ Aug 5th 2008 5:24PM

The best part of the ESA's showboating is it happens to coincide with California's crippling fiscal crisis. The enemy's head may be sitting on a pike in the front yard, but this is everyone using it as a urinal can.

Park Zero @ Aug 5th 2008 2:55PM

I hope this story and image gets picked up by the mainstream media. That’s where it needs to be so every voter/taxpayer can see this incredible waste of time and money.

FSK405K @ Aug 5th 2008 2:55PM

Bow to the awesomeness. Come on publishers, rejoin the ESA and E3. Make gamers happy.

Jack @ Aug 5th 2008 2:56PM

Nice ESA, nice. About time too.

Now should we all forward our lists on where the ESA should focus THEIR efforts?

Noshino @ Aug 5th 2008 3:02PM

you mean like making their reports public and for once standing up against politicians?...

Destin @ Aug 5th 2008 3:01PM

This is so dumb.

Phylicus @ Aug 5th 2008 3:05PM

I would have to work 14 years to ever see that chunk of change. Or ...

/draws pistol

"ESA, be cool, this is a robbery."

Marty @ Aug 5th 2008 3:20PM

14 years? This man needs a raise!

Phylicus @ Aug 5th 2008 3:28PM

You hiring?

Shagittarius @ Aug 5th 2008 3:11PM

Too bad Cali gets some of it back through income tax. That just seems wrong to me.

LaughingTarget @ Aug 5th 2008 5:42PM

Governments don't own anything, that $200k is just being spread along to the taxpayers by their friendly, neighborhood legislature.

klitorisaurus @ Aug 5th 2008 3:18PM

Hey!? Tha'ts my money!

CB @ Aug 5th 2008 4:13PM

http://www.wikiupload.com/images/dollars.php

Marty @ Aug 5th 2008 3:19PM

When I got my last tax rebate back from the state, I noticed the State Controller's name, John Chiang, and I thought for a fleeting moment that his name was actually Cha Ching. Would be a great name for the guy who signs checks!

F1 & The day I beat Ghost and Goblins @ Aug 5th 2008 3:27PM

About time someone finally took a stand against this bull that the politicians are forcing down the game industries throats! Maybe now they'll get the picture that gaming is NOT a sign of the fracking apocalypse!

Courtney @ Aug 5th 2008 3:28PM

EA becoming a well respected publisher!

The ESA doing it's job publicly and openly!

Dead IPs rising from the grave!

Fanboys and girls living together...mass hysteria!

turkeybaster @ Aug 5th 2008 4:35PM

Courtney...you will have brightened the lives of millions of registered commenters.

KobeBryunt @ Aug 5th 2008 3:37PM

Your tax dollars hard work folks.

juju187 @ Aug 5th 2008 4:15PM

all states can be accused of spending to much time on worth-less topics and not enough on things that matters.

TrojanGuy @ Aug 5th 2008 4:39PM

Nicely done, ESA. And dammit, I live in California and this type of crap needs to stop. ATTN: Politicians: Do your jobs and stop wasting our money on stupid crap like this.

Ethan @ Aug 5th 2008 6:37PM

I fought the law... and the law LOST!

SoxFan13 @ Aug 5th 2008 6:54PM

I really like the way ESA is handling this. However, let's be clear, 300K is nothing in the long run of California's debt, or our national debt. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad these laws are getting shot down. However, I'm NOT glad that our political system doesn't change. Does anyone really think that this will be the last state to pull this? New politicians will do it again when they need some phoney campaign platform issues.