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Progress Made on the California State Budget: Your Money and Values

In this week’s Democratic weekly radio address, Assembly Budget Committee Chair John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) gives a progress report on state budget negotiations.

To listen in English, click here

To listen in Spanish, click here

Hello, this is Assembly Budget Chair John Laird.

Over the past few weeks, my Democratic and Republican colleagues and I on the Legislature’s budget conference committee have made significant progress in crafting a balanced state budget.

We’ve already reached agreements to enhance funding for children in the state’s foster care system, and to strengthen adult protective services and academic preparation.

And we will make significant strides in the areas of clean water, climate change, and flood protection.

We will also look at appropriate funding for the infrastructure bonds Californians passed last November taking them as a whole package to protect the integrity of the process and the will of the voters.

While the governor’s budget proposal contained troubling cuts to transportation monies, the Senate and the Assembly are nearing an agreement on how to minimize any budget hits taken by the important transportation sector.

The budget conference committee will continue to meet throughout the ongoing negotiations between the governor and legislative leaders, to help provide a transparent process for a budget agreement.

Given the effort so far I am hopeful we can deliver a balanced budget with bipartisan support well in time for the start of the next budget year.

We have worked closely with many of our colleagues on the Republican side of the aisle and already have reached common ground on issues of tremendous importance to the state -- including preserving adoption program funding and continuing the hiring of judges needed to fill vacant spots in our understaffed courts.

But Democrats are committed to staying our ground on the issues of principle. That’s why cuts to vital programs that help children, the aged, blind, disabled, and mentally ill homeless have already been rejected.

The budget process can be a long and tedious one, but it’s worth watching -- because it’s all about your money and your values.

Thanks for listening.

Spanish transcript:

Que tal, les habla el presidente del comité del presupuesto de la Asamblea, John Laird.

Durante las últimas semanas, mis colegas demócratas y republicanos del comité del presupuesto que presido, hemos hecho significantes avances en diseñar un presupuesto fiscal balanceado.

Ya hemos logrado acuerdos en incrementar los fondos para los chicos que están en el sistema de hogares de cuidado de niños del estado, y reforzamos el servicio de protección del adulto y la preparación académica.

Y haremos grandes avances en las áreas del agua limpia, cambio climático, y protección de inundaciones.

También designaremos apropiadamente los fondos del bono de infraestructura que fue aprobado por los votantes en noviembre, al tomarlo como un solo paquete para proteger la integridad del proceso y el deseo de los votantes.

Aunque el presupuesto presentado por el gobernador tiene recortes fuertes a los fondos del transporte, el Senado y la Asamblea están muy cerca de un acuerdo en como aminorar cualquier impacto fiscal que afecte al importante sector del transporte.

El comité de conferencias del presupuesto seguirá reuniéndose durante las negociaciones entre el gobernador y los líderes legislativos, para ayudar a proporcionar un proceso transparente en el acuerdo del presupuesto fiscal.

Dado los esfuerzos demostrados hasta el momento, pienso que tendremos un presupuesto balanceado con apoyo bipartidario a tiempo para el comienzo del próximo año fiscal.

Hemos trabajado cercanamente por muchas horas con muchos colegas republicanos y hemos llegado a acuerdos de gran envergadura e importancia para el estado – incluso preservando los fondos del programa de adopción y la continuación del proceso de nombrar los jueces que se necesitan para llenar los puesto vacantes en nuestras cortes.

Pero los demócratas estamos comprometidos a no ceder en nuestros valores de principios. Es por eso que los recortes a los programas vitales que ayudan a los niños, los ancianos, los invidentes, los discapacitados, y los sin viviendas que sufren de alguna enfermedad mental han sido todos rechazados.

El proceso del presupuesto fiscal puede ser largo y tedioso, pero es de suma importancia seguirlo – ya que es su dinero y sus valores.

Gracias por su atención. Les habló el asambleísta John Laird.

Posted on June 16, 2007

Comments

Aren't you behind the clock for adoption? What effect does the new law have on legislatures for being late?

Posted by: Sarah O. Turner at July 9, 2007 11:04 AM

I just wish you all were hurry up and pass the thing. Every year it's the same. I'm disabled, can barely afford food on SSI/SSA, and I'm WAITING for Gov. Schwarzenegger to sign the budget so I can get my little renter's rebate, and maybe eat something more than donated food for a couple of weeks. Tell your fellow legislators, and I don't give a d*** which party they are from, to get the lard out and help us little folks. Pie is the sky by-and-by is fine, but I can't eat it.

Posted by: Tom Darby at August 1, 2007 06:26 PM

I just wish you all would hurry up and pass the thing. Every year it's the same. I'm disabled, can barely afford food on SSI/SSA, and I'm WAITING for Gov. Schwarzenegger to sign the budget so I can get my little renter's rebate, and maybe eat something more than donated food for a couple of weeks. Tell your fellow legislators, and I don't give a d*** which party they are from, to get the lard out and help us little folks. Pie in the sky by-and-by is fine, but I can't eat it.

Posted by: Tom Darby at August 1, 2007 06:27 PM

Tom, you said it best. The renter's rebate checks are ready to mail, however no budget has passed. Ok legislatures, please show mercy on the people with limited resources. I would like to buy groceries for a change and eat more than once a day. Get the lead out, please!

Posted by: Mary Morring at August 4, 2007 10:57 AM

Posted by: Mary Morring at August 4, 2007 10:58 AM

Posted by: Mary Morring at August 4, 2007 10:59 AM

2 years ago i recieved my renters check within 4 weeks
last year it took 6 weeks i did not vote at all for the past election i really need my check because i have not bought a new pair of pants for myself in the past three years i would also like to buy something special for myself which is enexpesive i also need to pay 2 small bills and my newspaper subscription it is almost like i am working for this check and i am a disabled i do not have time for this

Posted by: misty d rangel at August 17, 2007 10:28 AM

2 years ago i recieved my renters check within 4 weeks last year it took 6 weeks i did not vote at all for the past election i really need my check because i have not bought a new pair of pants for myself in the past three years i would also like to buy something special for myself which is enexpesive i also need to pay 2 small bills and my newspaper subscription it is almost like i am working for this check and i am a disabled i do not have time for this

Posted by: misty d rangel at August 17, 2007 10:29 AM

2 years ago i recieved my renters check within 4 weeks last year it took 6 weeks i did not vote at all for the past election i really need my check because i have not bought a new pair of pants for myself in the past three years i would also like to buy something special for myself which is enexpesive i also need to pay 2 small bills and my newspaper subscription it is almost like i am working for this check and i am a disabled i do not have time for this

Posted by: misty d rangel at August 17, 2007 10:30 AM

why is it that two partys can not get things going

and ssi/dis and poor and health care is on the block.

we are not live stock atleast they get feed remember

human lives are on the votes yes people that put you

actors in these offices .or maybe i have a idea let

the people run the country .the first amendment is we

the people not we the house if we have a problem i can

fix it one is medical marijuana tax it for all it is

worth many people are making monie off this and the

dea is putting costs on these busts at costs that can

fix the budget ten times over . where is this monie

is it used to fix things and the siezed homes and

cars the monie that comes from auctions is this monie

used to fix of budget. well is this a hard question

please give me two answers and i will never ask this

again . god bless rev robert.

Posted by: rev robert winchester at August 18, 2007 09:28 PM

I count on the Renters credit every year. I live on Social Security. My application has been processed and ready to mail. I just hope that those who make the law understand how important it is to us recipients. Sometimes I think we should just vote them all out and start with a clean slate.

Posted by: Brent Williams at August 20, 2007 05:08 AM

You know, its been 2 and a half months since you posted this blurb about your budget negotiations and while you sit and piddle around, the disabled and poor are not getting their renter asst. checks. Could you please mail them out? Geez, with the last governor we had they even gave us time and a half of our check there was extra in the budget. With this governor he doesn't give a whit about the disabled. Can't even get your normal check. Get the lead out and pass the budget please.

Posted by: Kathy N. at August 24, 2007 06:30 PM

Filed for 2006 and 2007, received 2007, never received 2006. Could I receive some imformation on this check??

Posted by: Judith K Leslie at January 23, 2008 05:06 PM

I am hurting. A State worker cut by Arnold's execute order.

Posted by: LaLa at August 19, 2008 07:07 PM

The State Budget would be passed on time, and not a day late, if each person on both sides had to live just one month on SS/SSI. The small Renters Rebate Check we receive is just a day's petty cash spending to them. Remember the first year our great Governor was in office, how he promised to bring everyone together and pass the BUDGET on time. He came through with flying colors and it really happened. Why can't the same thing happen every year? In the real working world if you're given a deadline to complete a project and don't get it done, you won't have a job very long.

Posted by: Norma J. Edwards at September 1, 2008 06:05 PM

This is why we have to put our trust in the Lord, He's the only one who cares for us. Lets pray together they will sign the budget and we will receive our rebate.
Love, Atiya

Posted by: Atiya at September 5, 2008 01:43 PM

Hi all posting re the rebate checks in calif .. I think we are out of luck this time I hate to say I think it is worse then you think. It is worse then the budget signed late or checks delayed this time. I think our governor did away with our rebates & has cut the program for 2008.

I am disabled and rely on this money as all of you do and I am now feeling very disheartened . I got a notice around june /july 2008 that this year they were not sure about the program and to check later with the local senior center to see if it is on or not. This confused and upset me but & then I heard nothing more and so filed for the renters rebate.

I just looked it up online .. the program was cut in 2008 !!! some political group is trying to convince our governor to put it back but so far claims forms from california will not be recognized & no checks sent to us from the govt. . this is AWFUL! I hope iot is nto true or someone does something. i desperate need that money as I know all of you do . My 3 cats were counting on getting vaccinated this year. ~ alison.

ps if anyone hears furhter or otherwise then what i write please speak up . If anyone knows what we can do also please speak up. We need to petition or something but sadly the truth is I doubt our governer cares about the poor since i recall long ago reading he intended to cut our programs.

~ alison

Posted by: Alison Joan at October 3, 2008 02:23 AM

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