Second in a series on Culver City’s state senator
Re “Sen. Price Bounces Back with Class”
It is virtually unanimous across the Democratic Party in America that the world is imminently imperiled by man-caused global warming. Culver City’s voice in the state Senate, Curren Price Jr., says he is aboard with vigor.
Question: From the body of scientific evidence that has been marshaled in support of the theory of climate change, what has been most persuasive for you?
Sen. Price: “It is acceptance of the fact that we cannot just continue to live, discarding the waste that is part of our existence, plastic and paper, for example.
“There is a need, a benefit, in recycling, in maintaining resources, providing alternatives. I am not a tree-hugger, necessarily, but the environmental movement serves a very good purpose.”
Question: What have you seen in the climate change evidence that has assured you it is the correct response?
“There are benefits in recycling, benefits in re-using and benefits in making us mindful of our resources.”
Question: Why do you believe climate change is a threat to our way of life?
“I am not sure it is a threat. But I believe if we are not careful, we will not have the same way of life we have now. We must be better stewards of our natural resources.”
Question: This is the first time you have been a Sacramento legislator during budget season. What are your responses to California’s $20 billion deficit?
“Only about $6 billion of that total is in this year’s budget. So deficits this size are going to be with us for awhile. We will have to make tough choices, reducing some programs. But we have to find ways to increase revenues. That is what I am working on with my Democratic colleagues, figuring how we can help grow the economy, figuring how we can provide resources to businesses, especially small businesses. They are the lifeblood of our economy.”
Question: Which deserves more of your attention, closing the deficit or finding new streams of revenue?
“I am looking closely at the proposed cuts the governor has suggested. We have to be careful about eliminating the safety net that exists for the poor, the infirm. Many of the programs the governor lists would be cut.”
Question: Can you defer or block a meaningful number?
“We are looking at ways to put off some of the painful cuts. At the same time, we are trying to figure how the system can be more responsive, and at ways to reduce the fraud abuse that goes on. Admittedly, that is only a small part of the deficit, but it matters.”
Question: The Los Angeles City Council last week agreed to cut 4,000 city employees as a means of addressing its fiscal deficit. What is the state’s analogue to that example?
“I am not sure. The governor has proposed layoffs and additional furloughs. And the unions are adamantly opposed. But the reality is, we all are going to have to give. There will be layoffs. Some positions will go unfilled. It is going to be tough.”
(To be continued)
