[Editor’s Note: As chair of the state Senate Select Committee on Procurement, Sen. Price will co-host a Town Hall on Friday afternoon in Downtown Los Angeles to discuss historic barriers confronting ethnic minority and women-owned investment firms seeking fund allocations from public pension systems and public utility companies. The hearing, from 1 to 4, will be in the auditorium of the Ronald Reagan Building, 300 S. Spring St.]
I commend Gov. Brown for his leadership yesterday his State of the State address in taking on the difficult task of addressing the fiscal and policy challenges facing our great state during the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.
The governor’s proposed tax proposal represents the next step towards investing in our schools, infrastructure and job creation. I join my colleagues in supporting the governor’s proposal. I will do everything in my power to help convince the voters of California of the importance of extending the temporary tax increase.
I also hope the governor takes a circumspect look at the realities that families in some of our poorest neighborhoods face. Alternatives to the deep budget cuts we have been experiencing in recent years must be sought and implemented. While a balanced approach may be in order, we no longer can afford to balance the budget off the backs of our poor, elderly, disabled and disadvantaged.
California Democrats long have been champions of public education.
We are committed to providing our children with safe, top quality schools. We believe that the school funding cuts in recent years have gone too far.
We must continue to advance an agenda that keeps California moving forward. I look forward to working with the governor and my legislative colleagues to adopt policies that help to grow our economy, create jobs, and make our schools great.
