- Funds education next year at the same level proposed by both Governor Schwarzenegger and Senator Perata - $57.9 billion.
- Contains no borrowing from local government, and takes no funds from either Proposition 1a or Proposition 42.
- Restores funding for doctors who provide health care services to the needy under the Medi-Cal program.
- Eliminates a dangerous early release proposal that would have resulted in thousands of felons being set free without being supervised by a parole officer.
- Includes a strict spending limit and strong rainy day reserve to help prevent future deficits from hurting Californians.

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.