Californians are in an increasingly sour mood about the economy and the deteriorating state budget - and they're taking it out on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Legislature, a new poll by the Public Policy Institute of California shows.

Schwarzenegger in January proposed draconian cuts to state services and education, and in turn his approval rating dropped below 50 percent, the survey found. The Legislature is even more unpopular.

To understand why residents are fed up, just ask poll respondent Miggie Fay.

The 45-year-old South San Jose mom spends her free time raising money for Oakridge Elementary School so her two kids can take art and music classes. So she was miffed over the layoff notices sent to teachers this month because of state budget cuts - not to mention higher gas prices and a declining stock portfolio.

"Everything is costing more, (more...)