V. Manuel Pérez
Special to The Desert Sun

Our economy will not recover until people get back to work. That's why I disagree with the governor's budget proposal, which would cause significant job losses, deprive our state of millions in federal matching dollars and cost our communities more money.

The Assembly has prioritized economic recovery and job creation through a proposal that minimizes the governor's extreme cuts to avoid further harm to local communities. I support the Assembly's jobs package that dedicates $1.1 billion to targeted investments for small business, green economy, work-force development and regulatory reform initiatives. We must also fulfill our obligations to local governments and schools.

Though I'm not completely sold on the idea of an oil severance tax, California is the only oil-producing state in the nation that does not charge oil companies a fee to extract the oil they take.

There is no perfect solution to the budget shortfall. A practical compromise is needed, as is overall reform of the state budget process. It's the responsibility of the Legislature and the governor to pass a budget that clearly links budget decisions to getting people back to work and stabilizing local economies.

Assemblyman V. Manuel Pérez, D-Coachella, represents the 80th District in the California Assembly