Assembly Budget Chair Laird Audio Comments on LAO's Budget Report

SACRAMENTO – Assembly Budget Committee Chair John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) today said the budget analysis of Governor Schwarzenegger’s proposed spending plan released today by the Legislative Analyst Office is a sobering message, but not a surprise.

Assemblymember Laird vowed to protect the Democratic Caucus’s priorities—including education, the elderly, low-income families, transportation and the environment—from budget cuts. Mr. Laird indicated it’s still early in the budget process and he believes it is time to get to work in a bi-partisan fashion to craft the best budget possible for the people of California.

Audio of Mr. Laird’s comments:

Assemblymember Laird’s statement on LAO analysis of Governor proposed budget

http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/Newsline/Audio/20070221LAOreactLaird1.mp3

Assemblymember Laird says the LAO report provides a realistic look at the state’s financial picture

http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/Newsline/Audio/20070221LAOreactLaird2.mp3

Assemblymember Laird says the Governor made some assumptions the LAO doesn’t see as realistic

http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/Newsline/Audio/20070221LAOreactLaird3.mp3

Assemblymember Laird says it will be difficult, but possible, to protect the Democratic Caucus’s priorities in the existing no-taxes environment

http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/Newsline/Audio/20070221LAOreactLaird4.mp3