Cheers And Jeers

Local lawmakers have responded to Governor Jerry Brown’s State of the State Address.

Senator Tom Berryhill (R-Twain Harte) applauded the Governor’s focus on debt reduction and water infrastructure including Brown’s call for a long-term solution to the state’s water crisis.

Berryhill says, “When the Governor said ‘We will build for the future, not steal from it’ he could have been talking about any of the problems that face California. The future is ignored when we do nothing about high unemployment, when we burden our kids with a huge debt, and when we ignore basic infrastructure needs. Now, saddled with an archaic water system, crumbling roads, and soaring pension obligations. We have little choice but to focus our limited dollars on the basics.”

Assemblyman Frank Bigelow (R-O’Neals) hopes all members of the legislature will get the Governor’s message for fiscal responsibility.

Bigelow says, “Restoring the economy of rural California must also be an important focus. As the state’s economy improves as a whole, there are still many hard-working people in the foothills that are struggling. Their plight has only been made worse by our current drought conditions, which has hurt families, farmers and small business owners alike. I am hopeful that the Legislature can come together this year around realistic solutions to end our water crisis and pro-jobs reforms to bring jobs back to my district and all of rural California.”

Board of Equalization member George Runner called the Governor a “good cheerleader for California”, but criticized him for giving little direction for the future.

Runner says, “I am pleased to hear Governor Brown’s continued calls for fiscal discipline. But just as saving money in a rainy day fund is an important way to prepare for future economic downturns, additional water storage is vital to ensuring California is equipped for future droughts. I am disappointed Governor Brown did not provide a plan to deal with our current water shortage.”