(SACRAMENTO) – Assemblyman Rich Gordon (Menlo Park) issued the following statement in response to the Governor’s Budget Proposal for the 2012 – 13 fiscal year.
In his proposal, Governor Brown announced the $9.2 billion budget deficit would be balanced through a combination of cuts and temporary taxes that would be put before voters. If voters do not approve taxes in November, education and public safety would experience an automatic cut of $5.4 billion.
“Last year alone, the Legislature cut nearly $17 billion from the Budget and eliminated 15,000 state jobs. From speaking with many who have experienced deep cuts over the past several years, including individuals receiving In-Home Supportive Services, community college students and faculty, enrolees in early childhood care programs, and those working in K-12 education, I cannot fathom another $9 billion reduction from this year’s budget. We must strike a balance without completely annihilating our safety net services.
I believe the Governor took a balanced approach in proposing a fiscally responsible budget, accounting for both the fragile economy and struggling Californians. This budget takes initial steps to further reduce the State’s structural deficit and allows the State to eventually pay down long-term debt, and it asks voters to weigh-in on temporary tax increases.
There is still much work to be done in making sure California’s fiscal house is in order. However, I believe we are on the right track, and as a member of the Assembly Budget Committee, I look forward to the details of this proposal and getting to work immediately.”
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Assemblyman Rich Gordon represents the 21st Assembly District on the San Francisco Peninsula in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties, which includes the communities of San Carlos, Redwood City, Atherton, Menlo Park, Portola Valley, Woodside, East Palo Alto, Palo Alto, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Monte Sereno, Los Gatos and the Almaden Valley. Website of Assemblyman Rich Gordon: www.asmdc.org/members/a21/
CONTACT: Margot Grant, (650) 691-2121
