Local Assemblyman Responds to Governor's Revised Budget

Assemblymember (D-Monterey Park), who represents San Marino and other San Gabriel Valley cities, released a statement this week in response to Governor Jerry Brown’s revised budget released Monday that includes $6.6 billion in unexpected state revenue.

“Today, the Governor laid out an honest and respectable budget plan that continues to put California on the right track toward economic recovery and greater job growth,” said Eng Monday. “The recent uptick in revenues is surely welcomed, but we still have a budget deficit of nearly $10 billion to contend with.”

Education spending would increase by roughly $3 billion in the revised budget plan, according to an article in the L.A. Times Monday.

The  recently  proposed in March, but an agreement in late April with the San Marino Teachers Association outlined pay cuts and furlough days to compensate.

“After cutting over $11 billion in critical programs and services a few months ago, I believe the time has come for us to sit down and seriously address our need for revenue,” said Eng. The alternative, $10 billion in additional cuts, would only decimate our schools, safety net and public safety and further prolong the recession we are currently in.”

In the event of a revenue increase, the L.A. Times said lawmakers are required to assign a significant amount of those funds to schools unless they suspend the state funding formula—something Brown is not proposing.

Brown does, however, want to keep tax increases that are set to expire this year.

“The Governor’s May Revision is a good start for the final phase of negotiations and I am hopeful that it will lead to a budget deal by June 15,” said Eng.