By Miriam Raftery

February 9, 2022 (San Diego) – Despite a pandemic and record wildfires, California is experiencing a strong economic record and higher than expected revenues, resulting in a projected record budget surplus, The state projects a $45 billion surplus, including $20.6 billion in discretionary funds  Just how those funds should be used, however, has prompted a wide range of opinions.

By Miriam Raftery

November 7, 2012 (Sacramento )- For California Democrats, the biggest plum of yesterday’s election is the sweeping victory of state legislative candidates that has given the Democratic Party a two-thirds "supermajority" in both the Assembly and State Senate.  

A two-thirds majority means that Democrats can now pass tax increases without a single Republican vote. It also means that the Legislature has the power to override a veto by Governor Brown.

Governor Brown today called for "the prudence of Joseph,” a Biblical reference to planning for years of both prosperity and famine. "We have to make sure over the next few years that we pay our bills, we invest in the right programs, but we don't go on any spending binges," the Governor said in a press conference at the state capitol.

June 27, 2012 (Sacramento) -- Governor Brown has signed California's state budget, which aims to eliminate the state's deficit over the next three years.  The $16.2 budget relies on both spending cuts and projected revenues from the Governor's November ballot initiative. 

For details on the budget, and how it may impact you, see our previous article on the budget: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/10166.  

Republicans draw fire for criticizing speech—before it was written or delivered

January 22, 2012 (Sacramento ) – Governor Jerry Brown laid out his vision for restoring California’s reputation as a leader in innovation, job creation and renewable energy in his State of the State speech last week.

Fire parcel fee, redevelopment cuts, tuition hikes, freeze on teacher lay-offs, and "crippling" cuts in border crimes enforcement among the budget impacts on our region

By Miriam Raftery
 

June 30, 2011 (Sacramento) –Governor Jerry Brown and Democrats in the state Legislature have approved a majority-vote budget without a single Republican vote. The move ends a months-long impasse in which Republicans held out for an all-cuts budget, while Democrats sought revenue increases to prevent slashing programs ranging from healthcare to law enforcement. The budget includes $7.9 billion in cuts which aim to reduce the state’s $26 billion deficit to $5 billion.

June 20, 2011 (Sacramento) – Legislation authored by Senator Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon) aimed at protecting taxpayers and businesses from the impacts of state-issued IOUs has been approved by the State Senate.

“What’s good for the goose is good for the gander,” stated Senator Joel Anderson. “Right now, the state IOU process is a forced-borrowing scheme at the expense of the taxpayers. This measure will offer taxpayers protection by forcing the state to accept its own IOU as payment.”

Thousands of students turned away as education opportunities fade for many;

College leaders & students issue plea for public to ask help from local legislators who continue to oppose budget measures to protect community college funding
 

By Miriam Raftery
 

May 17, 2011 (El Cajon) –Tens of thousands of students have been turned away from community colleges in our region this summer following $73 million in budget cuts---at a time when California had the largest high school graduation rate in history and unemployment levels are soaring. Fees have gone up by nearly a third and staff positions have been slashed—but the worst may be yet to come.

“An all-cuts budget would be nothing short of an educational Armageddon,” warned Cindy Miles, Chancellor of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District (GCCCD). Miles joined leaders of six community college districts in a press conference at Grossmont College today to show the dire consequences of recent budget cuts and worse impacts if the all-cuts budget is enacted.  She and other leaders praised Governor Jerry Brown for requesting an extension of existing taxes to prevent the all-cuts budget option. (View a video with more of Miles' remarks.)

But Republicans (including East County representatives Joel Anderson and Brian Jones) have refused to support the Governor’s budget.  They remain determined to force an all-cuts budget regardless of consequences on local students and our region’s economy, top educators warned.

May 5, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Governor Jerry Brown has announced plans to travel throughout California discussing the budget deficit with the people. Now Senator Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon) has sent a letter inviting the Governor to meet with people in El Cajon. He has collected letters of support for his invitation from prominent community leaders including elected officials, business leaders, and prominent educators.

 If you would like your voice heard and want the Governor to come to East County, Senator Anderson suggests that you send your letter via fax (916-447-9008) or e-mail (senator.anderson@senate.ca.gov; his staff will then deliver it to the Governor.

February 5, 2011 (Sacramento ) – Governor Edmund G. “Jerry” Brown Jr. delivered California's “State of the State” address on January 31st. The state faces a crisis that is “real and unprecedented,” said Brown, who called on both parties and voters to help put the state’s financial house in order. His budget seeks spending cuts but the Governor will also ask voters to approve extensions of taxes set to expire.

“It would be unconscionable to tell the electors of this state that they have no right to decide whether it is better to extend current tax statutes another five years or chop another $12 billion out of schools, public safety, our universities and our system of caring for the most vulnerable,” said Brown.

By R.J. Hernandez

February 5, 2011 (San Diego) – Assemblymember Marty Block (D-78th District) hosted a town hall meeting with about 50 constituents Thursday evening at Patrick Henry High School in San Carlos Thursday night to discuss Governor Brown's proposed 2011-2012 budget and hear views of local residents.

Plan is opposed by cities, labor, development interests, and affordable housing advocates

By Miriam Raftery

January 27, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Governor Jerry Brown has proposed to eliminate redevelopment agencies (RDAs), a move he predicts would save the cash-strapped state $1.7 billion in the next fiscal year. The Governor’s plan would take away funds for improving blighted areas and instead divert those dollars to school districts, counties, and state coffers. But the plan is being met with strenuous opposition from cities and redevelopment entities around the state—including here in East County.

November 24, 2010 (San Diego) -- Californians are becoming increasingly worried about the cost of higher education. A new survey from the Public Policy Institute of California found that 74 percent of those polled said the state does not provide enough money to its public colleges and universities.

"California faces a crisis. It is mistakenly called a “budget crisis.” It is actually a democracy crisis." -- By Professor George Lakoff

November 1, 2010 (Sacramento) -- California is the only minority rule state in America. Both houses of the California legislature are in control of a minority on all economic issues - and almost all issues are about what is in the budget. Only 34 percent of only one House of the Legislature can control legislation by saying no, creating gridlock, and blocking the will of the majority that represents the overwhelming majority of Californians.

That is why budgets have not been on time, and why they are doing less and less for the state.

Head of nation’s largest college system faults two-thirds rule for impeding passage of state budget;  remarks made during visit at Cuyamaca College

August 27, 2010(El Cajon)--Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Chancellor Cindy Miles welcomed California Community Colleges Chancellor Jack Scott to Cuyamaca College on Thursday for a candid discussion with the region’s community college and business leaders. Topics ranged from the state budget crisis to a bill just passed that will smooth transition for students from two-year campuses to state universities.

July 16, 2010 (San Diego) – Today, Sacramento County Superior Court Patrick Marlette denied a request by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to force State Controller John Chiang to reduce state workers’ pay to the federal minimum wage. The ruling could affect 200,000 California state employees.