In this post and the one below it, legislative Republicans express their initial thoughts on the Governor’s budget proposal, with its across-the-board 10% cuts. Not every legislator is represented. These quotes came from the two leaders’ offices — if a GOPer isn’t here, they probably didn’t supply comment (shame on you!)…
Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines, Fresno — “The budget unveiled today by Governor Schwarzenegger is only the first of many steps that must be taken to get the deficit under control. Assembly Republicans share the Governor’s commitment to budget reform and no tax increases, and will introduce proposals to help fix the system.
“We believe the only responsible way to solve our budget problem is to cut wasteful spending and start living within our means. While the choices before us are difficult ones, across-the-board cuts, including the Legislature’s budget, are a good way to start the discussion about how to cut spending because they avoid picking winners and losers. One thing is clear – higher taxes will do nothing to solve the problem and Republicans will stand united in rejecting any attempt to raise taxes.
“Republicans believe lawmakers must approach our $14 billion deficit with great urgency, and stand ready to work together with the Governor and Democrats to make the tough but necessary choices to balance the budget and reduce the deficit, without raising taxes.”
Assembly Republican Caucus Chair Bob Huff, Diamond Bar — “It is clear that difficult decisions must be made with a $14 billion dollar budget deficit and that real cuts must be made. I will not support tax increases to solve this long standing overspending problem during difficult economic times being felt by many in our state.”
Assembly Budget Committee Vice-Chair Roger Niello, R-Fair Oaks — “We’re facing an ‘ugly’ fiscal year that we aren’t going to be able to cram into the same glass-slipper of fragile, see-through gimmickry. The time for accounting maneuvers is over. The right fit this time around must involve creative solutions that acknowledge the size and scope of our budget deficit.”
Assemblyman Anthony Adams, R-Hesperia — “Governor Schwarzenegger’s budget proposal is only a starting point that sheds some much needed light on the severity of California’s fiscal crisis. It is now up to the legislature to begin the serious work of crafting a real budget that will meet the needs of all Californians. There is hope for California and bright future ahead of us. But we will only get there if we commit to embracing real change in the way we craft our budget.”
Assemblyman John J. Benoit, R-Palm Desert — “Our government needs to get back to the basics and stop wasting taxpayers’ hard-earned savings on pet projects and new bureaucracies. I firmly believe that any conversation must include talk of a real spending cap—a Gann-type inspired cap—that ties spending growth to inflation and population growth, and forces the state to live within its means. Across-the-board cuts, now necessary, would not have been had that cap been in place. What we must not do is forget what the government’s primary role has always been—protecting the public’s safety. The State of California cannot let 50,000 prisoners go free without jeopardizing the safety of California’s families. As a 31 year law-enforcement veteran, I feel it is my duty to adamantly oppose the early release of criminals into our communities.”
Assemblyman Mike Duvall, R-Brea — “An across-the-board cut is a good first step towards solving California’s structural deficit, and I applaud the Governor for having the courage to propose it. Nobody likes picking teams. In grade school we all feared not getting picked—but now the opposite is true—nobody wants to be the one group that is picked to shoulder the budgetary burden for others. A scorched earth policy is the best one possible right now—though unfortunately (and unfairly) it is the Legislature’s excess and malfeasance that’s getting everyone burned.”
Assemblyman Ted Gaines, R-Roseville — “California is facing a huge budget crisis, and our $14 billion deficit calls for strong and swift action. We must recognize that across the board budget cuts are a necessity in these dire times. The Legislature has overspent for far too long, and we should not punish hardworking California families with higher taxes to feed Sacramento’s spending addiction.
“We must also look for outside-the-box solutions to address the problem, and we should start by auditing every state agency to find and eliminate waste and fraud. As a small business owner, I understand that taxes and regulations are already burdensome, and look forward to working with the Governor to continue to find ways we can eliminate wasteful government spending and solve our state’s severe budget crisis.”
Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia, R-Cathedral City — “If we keep spending on autopilot…Welcome to the State of Denial.”
Assemblyman Doug LaMalfa, R-Richvale — “There is no doubt that we are going to have to make some very difficult decisions this year. California will face an uphill battle in order to find solutions to our $14 billion dollar deficit caused by this current budget mess. We must reduce spending to meet this challenge while protecting our most important mission, public safety. Hard-working Californians should not face higher taxes and fees because the big spenders in Sacramento refuse to reform. The California Legislature must finally learn to live within its means. I am committed to working with the Governor and my Republican colleagues to reduce spending, and I will continue my stance to oppose any Budget that includes tax increases.”
Assemblyman Jim Silva, R-Huntington Beach — “The time for gimmicks, papering over the gaps and borrowing must come to an end. Getting spending under control and reforming the budget process are the keys to restoring fiscal sanity in California.”
Assemblyman Cameron Smyth, R-Santa Clarita — “I look forward to working with the Governor to continue to find ways to cut wasteful government spending without raiding local government. I have faith that my colleagues and I can sit down, put partisan politics aside, and make responsible decisions regarding the budget without raising taxes. It is not how we react in the good times, but how we respond to the challenges in the tough times that show our true character and resolve as a state.”
Assemblyman Todd Spitzer, R-Orange — “Just a few months ago, I stood with the Governor opposing a three-judge panel’s attempt to release prisoners early from prison. It was the rallying cry to pass AB 900. Now, just four months later, the Governor is reversing himself and is proposing the release of 22,000 lawfully sentenced prisoners prior to the end of their sentences. In the same exact speech, he said that, ‘…all of these people think exactly the way we think, and they know exactly what we know, that releasing criminals back into our streets will be a public safety disaster, and it is absolutely unacceptable.’ I just can’t reconcile the two positions. Releasing 22,000 is a non-starter for Republicans and we will not jeopardize the public’s safety.”