Laird on Budget Stalemate:
“It’s time for legislative Republicans to level with California”

SACRAMENTO – Assembly Budget Chair John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) today issued the following statement on the status of state budget negotiations:

“After two months in deadlock, it is unconscionable for legislative Republicans to hold the state budget hostage without ever having produced a counter-proposal.  Legislative Republicans have an obligation to this state to produce an alternative.  I think we’re all wondering when they’re going to level with California and explain why, after months and months, they have not shared with the public a single, complete budget proposal. 

California’s teachers, students and their parents, police officers, firefighters, seniors, and kids without health insurance need to hear what cuts Republican legislators have in mind for them.  

Legislative Democrats and our Republican governor have produced fair, bi-partisan and responsible budget proposals based on gut-wrenching compromises.  We have taken a common-ground, common-sense approach that includes a mix of responsible cuts, new revenues and no borrowing—while still including key reforms including larger reserves and a ‘rainy day’ fund. 

It is well past time for my legislative Republican colleagues to bring forth a plan for consideration.”

For more information on the State Budget, go to:

http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a27/budget08.htm