Cheers And Jeers For The State Of The State
Sacramento, CA — State lawmakers react to the Governor Jerry Brown’s speech noting key elements, such as, taxes, infrastructure and water.
Republicans bashed the Governor on taxes and infrastructure with Mother Lode Senator Tom Berryhill (R-Twain Harte), stating, “This year, as in last, we have a large budget surplus, yet not one dollar of that is slated for transportation infrastructure. Instead, the Governor is proposing more taxes. While the US is experiencing record low gas prices, Californians are still suffering at the pump and the Governor proposes increasing that pain.”
Assembly Speaker-Elect Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) says he was pleased with Brown’s remarks, noting, “The Governor continued his emphasis on responsible budgeting, while also exhibiting a willingness to work with the Legislature on strategic investments that move us toward a better state for all. Among them is his call to focus on our infrastructure – our parks, schools, roads and public facilities – that has been neglected far too long.”
The call for additional taxes brought this response from Senate Republican Leader Jean Fuller (R-Bakersfield), “While he [Brown] acknowledged that California must operate with fiscal restraint, he also called for increasing taxes on areas such as health care and transportation.” State Treasurer John Chiang applauded the Governor’s fiscal constraint but cautioned, “Renewal of the California dream of endless possibility depends on how we manage our state’s curse of boom or bust revenues, as well as how we approach the state’s crumbling infrastructure and growing economic inequality.”
The issue of water also brought some jeers from Republicans with Senator Andy Vidak (R-Hanford) retorted, “Water, water everywhere, nor any a drop to drink.” He added that is the true state of our state, arguing that the governor trumps reliable water storage for all Californians with his pet bullet train boondoggle. Speaker of the Assembly Toni Atkins commented, “We still have work to do, but I think people have to face reality. We can be fiscally prudent but if we don’t take care of our infrastructure in the long-term, we’re going to face an even more serious problem.”
