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State Assemblymember Sebastian Ridley-Thomas (D-Culver City/Crenshaw District) today called Gov. Brown’s proposed state budget “a prudent spending plan that puts more than a decade of crippling state debt behind us.”
He said the record fourth-term governor, 76 years old, is peering accurately and with prescience into the California future.
Mr. Ridley-Thomas praised the governor for anticipating continued economic growth in state business and in the private sector.
“Both developments could provide stability for state revenues,” said the Assemblyman.
With lingering high unemployment, “the budget must reflect the importance of workforce development.
“It provides a fiscal framework for responsible infrastructure investments needed to fund repairs and maintenance of aging roads.”
Mr. Ridley-Thomas marked himself down as a sturdy supporter of Mr. Brown’s favorite transportation project.
“The budget provides continued investment in California’s high speed rail system plus a public works effort that has the strong potential for rail-oriented economic development and job creation in a substantial swath of California.”
More Sacramento attention, said Mr. Ridley-Thomas, must be focused on the healthcare arena, and mental health services.
He lauded Mr. Brown’s accent on education.
“The budget supports our teachers and professors while seeking to shield college students from bearing a disproportionate cost for their higher education,” Mr. Ridley-Thomas said.
“The governor’s budget is a good starting point. Responsible stewardship of energy resources should not be lost in the budget debates.”
Next Date
One week from Saturday, on Jan. 24, Mr. Ridley-Thomas will convene a gathering of 54th District community leaders and stakeholders for his California Budget Priorities Forum at Dorsey High School. “This will begin my process of soliciting comments and opinions on state budget priorities from residents of communities in Los Angeles and Culver City,” he said. The feedback will help inform my input during the budget subcommittee deliberations.”
For more information on Mr. Ridley-Thomas, see http://asmdc.org/members/a54/
Mr. MacFarlane may be contacted at fredmacfarlane@mac.com
