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Garamendi: Governor's 2008 - 09 Budget Does Not Meet Needs of California

By John Garamendi
Lieutenant Governor
State of California

The budget proposed today fails a very simple test: it does not meet the needs of California.

Thirty years ago, I began my career in public service hopeful that our state could do more to improve the lot of California’s families. Sadly, the budget debate today is about how our people can get by with less – less education, less healthcare, and fewer opportunities for the future.

California is at a crossroads. We know we can no longer paper over the fiscal challenges that confront state and local governments, but neither can we abandon our moral responsibility to protect the most vulnerable, or compromise the historic promise of our Golden State.

There is no question that our state’s chronic structural imbalance calls us to carefully examine our budgeting priorities, remembering that the success of the Golden State over the past half century was based on a robust, entrepreneurial private sector matched by state investments that propelled us into the 21st century.

We built the foundation for innovation and achievement with the world’s best education systems that trained our workforce and researchers, a highway system unparalleled in its effectiveness at moving goods to market and people to work, and a water system that gave life to the California economy as we know it today.

This budget will undoubtedly test our resolve – but when tested, California has always emerged stronger. Remember, in the middle of the Great Depression, California overcame political and financial obstacles to build the Golden Gate Bridge – the enduring symbol of California’s spectacular record of innovation and achievement.

Over the next six months, we face a critical decision -- whether to continue to invest in our future or abandon the historical commitment that made the Golden State.

With a powerful and diverse economy, a capable and motivated workforce, and extraordinary entrepreneurs, educators, and research facilities, we stand on a strong foundation. I know that working together we can once again meet these challenges and emerge stronger in the years ahead.

Posted on January 11, 2008

Comments

ARNOLD DOES NOT MEET THE NEEDS OF CALIF RECALLLL

Posted by: RYMC at January 11, 2008 12:08 PM

Where has Arnold been the last five years that we were spending more than we were taking in???

Posted by: bwood at January 12, 2008 07:45 AM

I think calif maded the biggest mismake when they voted for arnold

Posted by: dennc at January 12, 2008 12:01 PM

Giving money away to people is never a good idea; but that is what most state programs do.

So it may increase the economy (as the money is spent on fast food and cheap Chinese import clothes) but it is disingenous to call SSP or SSI 'an investment'. MediCAL also falls into that catagory.

Paying the K-12 system to turn out 18 year olds that can't balance check books is also not a 'good investment'.

Encouraing people who refuse to learn to speak English is not any way to maintain a cohesive society.

A ten percent budget cut will be a good start to force a dialog on what the State really should be doing, as opposed to what Socialists would love to see done in their utopian dreams.

William Halverson
Vallejo

Posted by: William Halverson at January 12, 2008 10:17 PM

Mr. Garamendi,

The Legislature, made up of a majority of your fellow democrats, especially in leadership/comittee chair positions, BLEW THIS BUDGET.

They "worked" on it all year at taxpayers well paid expense and gave us a turd.

Now, you place the onus on what your own party created to the Governor. Your playing politics while the budget version of the city of Rome burns (and you guys set it on fire) is an indicator of you being a political animal over that of being a leader.

Posted by: Jay Gould at January 13, 2008 03:21 PM

I saw headlines from the Governor "Don't blame me"! I blame the Governor and the legislature. Very few had the courage to hold the line and base expenditures on more conservative estimates. It was apparent to many that the economy was going to turn downward and the State continued to spend like drunken sailors! Unfortunately, those who can least afford will pay the biggest price!

Posted by: Deb at January 16, 2008 03:38 PM

Posted by: Deb at January 16, 2008 03:39 PM

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