By Assembly Member Mark DeSaulnier || The budget crisis we face this year is unprecedented and extraordinary. California and the nation at large are in a far-reaching economic recession: record foreclosures force many families out of their homes and strip local government of needed property tax revenues; soaring gasoline prices make commuting—let alone summer travel plans—more difficult than ever; and now, more than 300 fires are blazing across the state. Resources are stretched thin, and the people of California are facing a nearly $15 billion budget deficit.
To add to this, in the past three budget cycles, we have cut $12.3 billion in spending. Essentially—we’ve trimmed the fat, cut the meat and now we’re down to the bone. Legislative Democrats and, privately even some Republicans, know we can’t solve this year’s budget situation by cuts alone.
In poll after poll, Californians are consistent. They do not support cuts to education; they do not want the safety net for our most vulnerable citizens shredded; they do not want to shutter state parks; and they do not want to slash health care benefits. Cutting these services will hurt our struggling economy more in both the short- and long-term because, many state services are already reduced to a thread-bare basic-minimum level of spending.
In order to maintain quality education, health care, fire protection, and law enforcement additional revenues are required. If we want the first-class economy and lifestyle that the Golden State provides, we need to pay for it.
After rejecting a cuts-only budget, Democrats have proposed a budget that is specific about how to preserve the resources that California values. We’re calling upon our Republican colleagues to do the work that Reagan and Wilson did during their terms as governor. When times are lean, we are responsible for creating revenue while inflicting the least amount of pain on Californians.
Democrats now have offered a detailed blueprint of a state spending plan that is both fiscally sound and fair to all Californians. The budget is a balanced approach. It makes cuts where they will do the least damage, closes tax loopholes, rolls back tax breaks for corporations and the wealthy, and it provides real ways of generating revenue without a reliance on risky proposals like leasing the state lottery.
With passage of this budget, teachers will keep their jobs and peace officers will remain on the street. We can continue to work toward universal health coverage for every Californian—especially our veterans, the elderly, and those with disabilities. By passing the budget, the Legislature can ensure that all Californians will equitably bear the burdens of this crisis while continuing to reap the many rewards of living in this state.
At the end of the day, Democrats and Republicans must answer one question: will we put aside politics and to do the right thing by passing this responsible and compassionate budget? The people of California deserve nothing less.
It is time for every Californian to take action. Tell the Legislature that it needs to pass the budget now. Visit www.adc.asm.ca.gov/issues/budget.
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Assembly Member Mark DeSaulnier (DE-SOWN-YEA) chairs the Assembly Transportation Committee as well as the Select Committees on Growth Management and Air Quality. DeSaulnier lends his expertise in local government and state regulation to the Assembly Committees on Appropriations, Human Services, and Labor and Employment. Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, DeSaulnier earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the College of the Holy Cross. An avid runner, he has completed twenty-one marathons. DeSaulnier lives in Concord with his two sons and was a longtime restaurateur prior to his election to the Legislature.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
DeSaulnier, like Torlakson, never saw a new tax he didn’t like. He was about the worst County Supervisor we have ever had. As a state Assemblyman he has continued his course of representing the special interests and not his constutuents.
He is dead wrong about how much has been cut from the state’s out-of-control spending. The budget could be balanced by selectively cutting those “feel good” programs that deliver nothing worthwhile.
I hope the Republicans continue resisting the Democrats insistence on higher taxes. We are already tapped out as taxpayers, paying about the highest taxes in the country.
And raising taxes almost always results in less revenue since it cuts consumer buying and business investment. Cutting taxes is the solution to revenue increasing.
Again, we don’t have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem. And DeSaulnier is right at the head of the pack in creating that.
Perata and Bass promise no borrowing…what’s left? Guess what “new revenues” means
http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/capitolalertlatest/013943.html
To the Editor:
Assemblyman Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord) is asking members of the California State Legislature to “put aside poltics” and pass a “responsible and compassionate budget.”
Voters should not be fooled.
DeSaulnier is asking for a massive tax increase!
Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) has already called for a $6.4 billion tax increase.
But Californians have already, in effect, had a massive tax increase.
Anyone driving a car that got 20 miles per gallon and drove 24,000 miles a year paid $2,400 a year for gasoline if one uses January 1, 2007, prices.
That same person today (July 21, 2008) driving that same car would pay $5,400 a year for gasoline.
Thus, in just 18 months, the annual cost of gasoline has gone up by $3,000.
Why should California taxes go up when people are struggling just to pay for gasoline? Moreover, food, medical care, and education also cost much more.
In just four years, the Califorina state budget has gone up by 40%.
No, Mr. DeSaulnier, California does not need any more tax increases.
Those in the legislature should stop whining and give the people a budget that requires no new taxes.
Richard Colman
Orinda, CA
July 21, 2008
Every week Mark DeSaulnier steps up to the plate and takes on the difficult issues confronting California. He gets it on the issues when most politicians don’t. He connects with people when most politicians don’t. In many ways his courage reminds me of Govenor Pete Wilson. Like Wilson he is not liked by the most conservative elements of the GOP. But he keeps fighting. Because he knows that his ideas resonate with the vast majority of Californians!