STATEMENT FROM SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER DENNIS HOLLINGSWORTH
Senate Republicans are glad to see Governor Schwarzenegger’s commitment to not raise taxes again and his focus on job creation and beginning the process of eliminating job killing regulations,” said Senate Republican Leader Dennis Hollingsworth. “While this budget involves tough choices, that’s no different than the tough choices every California family has to make in these difficult economic times.
Controlling spending and not raising taxes have to be our top priorities in order to get California back on the right track- this budget is a good start.
STATEMENT FROM ASSEMBLY BUDGET VICE-CHAIRMAN JIM NIELSEN
The Governor’s budget proposal is an important starting point for what will be a year of very difficult decisions. It’s critical that we get to work immediately to address $21 billion in deficits this year and next through a mixture of cuts, efficiencies and reforms. The long-term solution to this crisis is to remove governmental barriers to economic growth and make California job creation the state’s number one goal.
Assembly Republicans in budget committees will fight to ensure efficiencies and prioritize our limited spending in areas where they can have the greatest positive impact. We are committed to getting money into classrooms for education, and onto the streets for public safety. We must seize the opportunity this year to enact long-term budget and budget process reforms, and spur job growth so that we can avoid these types of fiscal crises in the future.
QUOTES FROM DEMOCRAT LEADERS:
Speaker Bass: "One big pile of denial."
President Pro-Tem Steinberg: "You have got to be kidding."
(Editorial note – these statements from the Democrats are no doubt symbolic of their depression that the Governor simply didn’t propose $20 billion in new taxes to balance the budget.)