Old-time cartoon character: J. Wellington Wimpy aka "Wimpy." First introduced: 1934. Favorite saying: "I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today."

New caricature: California state budget. Deadline missed: July 1 (as nearly always). Favorite saying, likely commencing in early August when state runs out of reserves to pay medical costs: "We've got no money to pay you today, but keep on providing medical care until whenever we create a budget or you go belly up."

Amount of money Community Medical Centers must come up with each week the state of California fails to pay for Medi-Cal services that Community provides -- and will continue to provide: $3 million.

So, who's got the beef and who would you call Wimpy?