Sierra Club California: Toward A Sustainable Budget

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Bill Magavern
Director
Sierra Club California

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed budget once again reminds us that sustainability has many meanings.

In his May Revise, the governor proposed several one-time fixes, including borrowing money from the Public Transit Fund.

That brand of unsustainable borrowing could keep Californians from enjoying safe, clean public transportation. Increasing public transit ridership improves air quality – and lowers commuters’ gas costs.

The May Revise offers no sustainable source of funding for AB 32, California’s Global Warming Solutions Act. True solutions to our state’s global warming emissions will emerge when polluters pay for the cost of cleaning up the emissions they create.

We’d also like to see the Resources Agency gain a more permanent source of funding, since it’s one of the first agencies to suffer the pinch of budget cuts.

Many bright ideas shine through the smog of today’s tight fiscal times. For example, the governor’s revised budget provides $50 million to help low-income truckers meet state diesel standards early. And our state parks will stay open, following tremendous pressure from outdoors-loving Californians.

Sierra Club California will sustain its efforts to negotiate a budget that protects our air, water, natural resources and communities.

And About Those ‘May Revise’ Specifics

Governor’s Proposal:

Cuts $829 million from gasoline sales tax revenue “spillover” funds used to pay for public transportation systems. These cuts are over and above the $597 million that he excised from the Public Transit Account in January.

We Say:

“When the governor talks tough on global warming but steals from the Public Transit Account, that doesn’t inspire confidence in his priorities. This is the second time this year he has targeted transit. On top of the nearly $600 million he diverted from the transit account in January, the new cuts bring the total amount diverted to $1.4 billion. ”

- Tim Frank, Advocate, Sierra Club California

Governor’s Proposal:

Provides $49.7 million in financing for low-income truckers so they can meet health-protective diesel emission standards early.

We say: