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Letter from Assembly Member Jerry Hill representing the 19th District
Dear Friend,
I would like to share with you the results of the budget survey I recently sent to constituents of Assembly District 19.
More than 750 people responded! You called on me to work with my colleagues to quickly pass a budget while protecting safety-net programs. I want a budget passed immediately. This delay is inexcusable. Im working with my colleagues daily to close the $26 billion deficit.
71% oppose eliminating safety-net programs like Healthy Families, CalWORKS and In-Home Supportive Services.
78% support increasing vehicle registration fees to keep state parks open.
74% want to see both cuts and fees to balance the budget.
75% support increasing the price of cigarettes and adding an oil severance fee.
51% want to see cuts to some parts of the budget, but not all.
74% oppose eliminating Cal Grants.
However, what I heard most from people - regardless of how they feel about social services or fees - is that the Legislature needs to immediately begin working on structural reforms that will save our state from continued budget difficulty.
Here are a few comments from the many e-mails I read:
"Once there is a budget, legislators can return to the hard work of fixing California's deep structural problems. But now, just pass a budget. I no longer care what gets cut. Just get a budget in place and stop wasting money on IOUs and interest payments that help no one." - Pacifica resident
"The choices made today will affect California for generations to come. California has the 6th largest economy in the world because 50 years ago the citizens of the state decided to invest in the university system (to the envy of the world) and create an economic engine that drives this state with innovation. Today, ignorant decisions are destroying the engine on so many fronts. My economic success depends on the success of my neighbors. The current depression is a clear signal of this interdependence. It is time to pay to maintain this engine." - Belmont resident
I am very disappointed that the Legislature and the Governor missed the June 30th deadline to pass a budget. In the Assembly, I voted almost every day during the end of June to address the state's entire deficit so we could avoid IOUs and preserve our bond rating. Unfortunately, because California has a 2/3 vote requirement to pass a budget, a handful of legislators were able to block the solution. Now the Governor is exacerbating the delay by mandating a laundry list of proposals unrelated to the budget deficit.
Many people who took the survey want to see the 2/3 vote requirement for passing budgets changed, Proposition 13 evaluated and an overhaul of state employee salaries and benefits. I agree that we need to take a good hard look at the structural problems that have hurt our state for far too long.
A number of you also asked what legislators are doing to shoulder some of the financial pain hitting the state. I took a 10 percent voluntary salary cut in February and supported a 10 percent spending reduction among the entire State Assembly which saved $15 million.
I will do my best to keep you informed as budget negotiations continue. As soon as the budget is finalized I plan on promoting structural reforms that can help our state avoid the budget pitfalls that plague us every year.
If you would like to talk further about any issues, or if you need assistance, please feel free to call 650-349-1900 or visit my website at www.assembly.ca.gov/hill.
Sincerely,
Jerry Hill
Sustainable San Mateo County Roundtable Series
at the San Mateo Public Library
55 West Third Avenue, San Mateo
First Floor - Cedar Room
Every 3rd Thursday of the month, SSMC hosts a Roundtable Discussion on sustainability topics ranging from green building to child care. The Roundtables are set up to create dialogue that better informs our Indicator Report.
July 16 12 Noon 1 PM Land Use
Ken Kirkey, Planning Director, Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG)
Good growth management polices are necessary to balance the counties needs and preserve its quality of life. This discussion will look at how we can focus growth where its needed by balancing community land uses.
August 20 12 Noon 1 PM Housing Affordability
Greg Richane Housing Leadership Council
A lack of affordable houses limits the ability of people to stay engaged with their family and community instead of commuting over large distances. This discussion will look at how society can meets its housing needs for projected job and population growth.
Free parking is available in our underground garage; enter on Third Avenue.
For more information, call the library at (650) 522-7802 or visit our web site: www.smplibrary.org.
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