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Budget Town Hall at Fremont Library

On August 12th, 2008, I hosted a Town Hall to give local residents an opportunity to learn more about how state budget proposals could affect health care and social services in our area. Many constituents have written to my office to share their concerns about cuts in these critical programs. Nearly 100 attendees packed the Fukaya room at the Fremont Main Library.  There was a lot of frustration, including my own, with the lengthy budget negotiations and the lack of agreement on a balanced solution.

I expressed my opposition to an all-cuts budget and my disappointment at the lack of concern for the most vulnerable Californians.    

The Town Hall included a distinguished panel with representatives from the California Budget Project, Health Access, Alameda County Social Service Agency and the Alameda Health Consortium.

Scott Haggerty, president of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, provided the county’s perspective and remarked that the state is shifting responsibility to fund vital programs to struggling counties.

Social Service Director Yolanda Baldovinos said due to the budget deficit Alameda County families are not getting adequate health care and the services they need. 

Leah Strevalia, policy analyst from the Alameda Health Consortium, spoke on the diminishing Medi-Cal reimbursement and the denial of services to patients in dire need of medical attention. 

The panel portion of the Town Hall ended with a call for mobilization by health activist, Jessica Rothhaar of Health Access, who encouraged people to get involved and pressure those unwilling to compromise for a balanced budget.

I remain convinced that the best way to move forward is with a balanced approach that shares the sacrifice with a mixture of budget cuts, tax loophole closures and revenue increases.  Such an approach would reaffirm our commitment to health care, public safety and education.

Alberto O. Torrico