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Sierra Club California: Toward A Sustainable Budget
By Bill Magavern
Director
Sierra Club California
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed budget once again reminds us that sustainability has many meanings.
In his May Revise, the governor proposed several one-time fixes, including borrowing money from the Public Transit Fund.
That brand of unsustainable borrowing could keep Californians from enjoying safe, clean public transportation. Increasing public transit ridership improves air quality – and lowers commuters’ gas costs.
The May Revise offers no sustainable source of funding for AB 32, California’s Global Warming Solutions Act. True solutions to our state’s global warming emissions will emerge when polluters pay for the cost of cleaning up the emissions they create.
We’d also like to see the Resources Agency gain a more permanent source of funding, since it’s one of the first agencies to suffer the pinch of budget cuts.
Many bright ideas shine through the smog of today’s tight fiscal times. For example, the governor’s revised budget provides $50 million to help low-income truckers meet state diesel standards early. And our state parks will stay open, following tremendous pressure from outdoors-loving Californians.
Sierra Club California will sustain its efforts to negotiate a budget that protects our air, water, natural resources and communities.
And About Those ‘May Revise’ Specifics
Governor’s Proposal:
Cuts $829 million from gasoline sales tax revenue “spillover” funds used to pay for public transportation systems. These cuts are over and above the $597 million that he excised from the Public Transit Account in January.
We Say:
“When the governor talks tough on global warming but steals from the Public Transit Account, that doesn’t inspire confidence in his priorities. This is the second time this year he has targeted transit. On top of the nearly $600 million he diverted from the transit account in January, the new cuts bring the total amount diverted to $1.4 billion. ”
- Tim Frank, Advocate, Sierra Club California
Governor’s Proposal:
Provides $49.7 million in financing for low-income truckers so they can meet health-protective diesel emission standards early.
We say:
“Sierra Club California supports the administration’s proposal to use $50 million in available air-quality funds for loans to help low-income truckers achieve early compliance with upcoming requirements to reduce toxic diesel emissions. This proposal provides a creative solution that will benefit Californians’ health and our economy.”
- Bill Magavern, Director, Sierra Club California
Governor’s Proposal:
Keeps state parks open. Gov. Schwarzenegger’s January budget proposed closures at 48 of the state’s 278 state parks, but his revised proposal would allow those areas to remain open to the public.
We say:
“We are happy that Governor Schwarzenegger responded to the public’s overwhelming call to keep our parks open. Still, this year's budget proposal does nothing to ensure the long-term stability of the chronically underfunded Department of Parks and Recreation. We’ll continue to work with the governor and the California Legislature to create a stable funding source for these special places.”
Jim Metropulos, Senior Advocate, Sierra Club California
Governor’s Proposal:
Supplements most Resources Agency expenditures via bond funding. Continues to cut key functions at the Department of Fish and Game, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and California Coastal Commission.
We say:
“We listened closely today as Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger told Californians about the need for structural reform and a ‘rainy day fund’ for our state. We’d like to see long-term consistent funding that improves the stability of our natural resources agencies.
“Historically, the Resources Agency has been the first to suffer cuts whenever clouds have gathered. For example, the Department of Fish and Game is still facing substantial cuts that will undermine environmental protection, and the Department of Forestry is slashing their review and enforcement of logging plans. We need to ensure these agencies have the funding they need to protect our state’s air, water, environmental health and natural treasures for future generations.”
-- Paul Mason, Deputy Director, Sierra Club California
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