(SACRAMENTO, CA)  The following is a statement from Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus, on the cuts made by the Governor as part of his signature of the 2007-2008 budget for the State of California.

“The budget cuts are bad medicine for the state.  The budget passed by the Assembly had the largest reserve in the state’s history.  But still the Senate Republicans insisted on more cuts to concede to a deal.  And, sadly, the Governor obliged.

“At a time when we are talking about health care reform it’s confusing, at best, to see so many cuts to health programs benefiting children and seniors.  It doesn’t make any sense.

“It’s frustrating to see a 50 percent cut in new funding for game warden recruitment and retention.  We have a poaching crisis in this state.  We don’t have enough game wardens and we need more of them.  This cut exacerbates the problem by endangering the safety of our current game wardens and making their jobs that much harder.

“The Governor struck funding that I inserted into the budget to promote water quality in the North Coast.  For years, delays have occurred in the development of water quality standards because of staff shortages.  The two additional positions would have helped the regional water board help us.  Taking them away jeopardizes public health, environmental protection, and the viability of municipal discharges.  All depend on the development of these standards which will continue to face delays.

“Some good news about the budget that left the Governor’s desk is that education is fully funded, new resources have been committed to combat climate change, and funding for the Williamson Act remains intact.”