The Latest on the California Budget from Senator Perata

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Don Perata
President pro Tem
California State Senate

We are more than three weeks into the budget year which began July 1st, but have no 2007-08 state budget. I thought you would appreciate an update on the continuing negotiations.

The Legislature has spent months preparing a budget and we need to pass one immediately. Democrats have made all the cuts we can and support the budget plan passed by the Assembly and backed by the Governor. Senate Republicans are demanding more than their Assembly counterparts and our Republican Governor.

Before the Assembly voted on the budget, Democrats from both houses agreed to $1.3 billion in cuts. The Senate Republicans are calling for additional cuts aimed at children, seniors and people who are homeless. These cuts would destabilize families, undercut education and cost the state more money in the long run by putting thousands of Californians at risk of falling through the safety net and adding to the state's prison and corrections costs. While we continue to work on a compromise both parties can live with, I want you to know that I came to Sacramento to protect vulnerable Californians and I will not dismantle the few existing safety nets.

At the beginning of July, legislative leaders from both houses and both parties compromised on a budget that contains no new taxes, fees or social programs and dramatically cuts the "operating deficit." Ultimately, this is best we can do under our current budget constraints. In the fall, we need to have a conversation about how to change the way the state budgets. The structure is clearly dysfunctional.

For now, I am asking the Governor to work with the Senate Republicans to reconsider the merits of the budget proposal, which is financially sound and balanced. It includes: