SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman Van Tran, R-Costa Mesa, today called the Governor´s "May Revise" budget plan a mixed bag, saying there are both positive improvements over January´s proposal but also areas of concern. Tran also pointed out that the deficit continues to grow and urgent action must be taken to get spending in line with revenues.
"I am pleased that the Governor reconsidered his proposal to release prisoners early. Prisoners should serve their time, and Californians deserve to know that they are safe in their homes and neighborhoods," said Assemblyman Van Tran. "I continue to be concerned that the State´s spending does not match its revenues. Each Californian lives on a budget, not spending more than they earn. The State should be following the examples set by these hard-working citizens and not spend more than we take in."
Every year in mid-May, the Governor releases his revised 2008-2009 budget proposal to account for the taxes collected by the state during the April tax season. Assemblyman Tran expressed concern, however, that the budget proposal relies on a complicated scheme of ballot measures, more borrowing and a sales tax increase. The proposal also includes a summary parole proposal, which would allow over 18,000 convicted felons on parole to no longer be supervised or tracked by parole officers.
Assemblyman Tran reaffirmed his commitment to not raise taxes on Central Orange County families. He said that lawmakers must do more to better prioritize spending, while resisting the temptation to create new and costly programs that the state cannot afford.
"I am encouraged to see the Governor fully fund education and reducing spending in one of the fastest growing areas of government. I'm also pleased that the May Revise does not include a misguided previous proposal to release 22,000 inmates into our communities before they have served their time."
"There are many aspects of this proposal that leave me concerned, however. Now is not the time for more borrowing, a complicated scheme to sell the state lottery or a dangerous summary parole proposal. As gas prices and grocery prices go up and home values go down, it is also not the time to raise taxes on hardworking families."
"I am pleased that the Governor reconsidered his proposal to release prisoners early. Prisoners should serve their time, and Californians deserve to know that they are safe in their homes and neighborhoods," said Assemblyman Van Tran. "I continue to be concerned that the State´s spending does not match its revenues. Each Californian lives on a budget, not spending more than they earn. The State should be following the examples set by these hard-working citizens and not spend more than we take in."
Every year in mid-May, the Governor releases his revised 2008-2009 budget proposal to account for the taxes collected by the state during the April tax season. Assemblyman Tran expressed concern, however, that the budget proposal relies on a complicated scheme of ballot measures, more borrowing and a sales tax increase. The proposal also includes a summary parole proposal, which would allow over 18,000 convicted felons on parole to no longer be supervised or tracked by parole officers.
Assemblyman Tran reaffirmed his commitment to not raise taxes on Central Orange County families. He said that lawmakers must do more to better prioritize spending, while resisting the temptation to create new and costly programs that the state cannot afford.
"I am encouraged to see the Governor fully fund education and reducing spending in one of the fastest growing areas of government. I'm also pleased that the May Revise does not include a misguided previous proposal to release 22,000 inmates into our communities before they have served their time."
"There are many aspects of this proposal that leave me concerned, however. Now is not the time for more borrowing, a complicated scheme to sell the state lottery or a dangerous summary parole proposal. As gas prices and grocery prices go up and home values go down, it is also not the time to raise taxes on hardworking families."
