By Assembly Member Lori Saldaña

Earlier this month, the Governor unveiled his solution to the state’s $14.5 billion budget crisis – a draconian 10 percent across-the-board cuts to most services provided by the state.

His proposal includes drastic cuts in public safety, the potential release of thousands of prisoners, the closure of 48 state parks and cuts to lifeguard staff at local state beaches.

The budget crisis is dire, but the pain of these heavy-handed and ill-considered cuts will definitely not be felt equitably.

Many Californians need help to survive day-to-day. I don’t believe Californians are comfortable cutting meal assistance, healthcare and other support services to low-income, elderly and disabled Californians.

There are also many Californians who need temporary assistance to complete the job training and skills development programs that will allow them to move beyond poverty and support their families with better jobs. I don’t believe Californians are willing to take away the hope for a brighter future for these people in the interests of a temporary –and clumsy – budget fix.

I believe before we release prisoners, close our state parks and make drastic cuts to programs for our most vulnerable citizens, we need to explore revising our tax code to eliminate breaks for luxury items, and close tax loopholes that are out of step with current business practices. 

We also need to set priorities, determine which programs are successful, and cut programs that are not achieving their intended goals and outcomes. A ten percent across-the-board cut incorrectly assumes that all programs, all services, all subsidies, and all tax breaks are weighed equally by Californians.

That just isn’t the case.

Reflexively reaching for the budget axe before carefully considering priorities and alternatives is bad public policy. Beginning this week, the Legislature will have numerous budget hearings to determine where we need to cut, and what programs deserve our full support.

I also believe that we need to take a serious look at improving fiscal efficiency before cutting services that Californians rely on.

To that end, in 2006 I requested an audit of the California State University System. The results, released last year, revealed that there were steep and unjustified increases in executive compensation, as well as millions spent on outside attorneys and settlements for anti-discrimination lawsuits. As a result, the State Auditor made sensible recommendations in areas that would save the universities - and the taxpayers - from unnecessarily wasting millions of dollars.

This shows why it’s essential that we conduct a careful examination of how the state’s agencies spend – and sometimes waste – funding, before services are severely cut.

It’s early in the process, and I don’t believe it’s helpful for anyone to take an absolute position on any single approach to solving this crisis. The Governor and legislators will approach this process with resolve, an open mind and a commitment to do what’s best for our constituents.

In order to do that, we need to hear from you over the next few months. To keep updated on the budget and to keep us informed of your budget priorities, please log onto my website at or email me at assemblymember.saldana@assembly.ca.gov.

Assembly Member Saldaña represents the 76th Assembly District and Chairs the Assembly Committee on Housing and Community Development