Replies

Look at what the Assembly is saying. Too much b*tt kissing, IMO. ( From 1Bakersfield.com )

SACRAMENTO – Members of the Assembly Republican Caucus had the following responses to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s budget proposal for the 2006-07 fiscal year:

Assembly Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, Bakersfield
“I am pleased the governor has proposed a budget that does not raise taxes on hard-working Californians. Paying for improvements to our outdated infrastructure will be a challenge, one we are determined to meet by prioritizing our needs, finding cost-effective ways to fund them, and implementing reforms needed to stretch our dollars. However, we will not be able to meet these critical needs until we finally eliminate the structural deficit.”
Assembly Republican Caucus Chair Russ Bogh, Yucaipa
“I’m happy to see the governor’s budget focus on improving California’s ailing infrastructure without overburdening the hardworking families of California with tax increases.”
Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee, R-San Luis Obispo
“Underlying structural deficits continue to threaten the state. Fiscally responsible leadership demands that we resist the urge to escalate spending until significant structural reforms are enacted. Before we can truly address our state’s infrastructure needs, we must eliminate California’s structural budget deficit once and for all.”
Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, R-Irvine
“Unless we couple regulatory reform with the bonds, we will end up borrowing a dollar to get less than a quarter’s worth of construction.”
Assemblyman Bill Emmerson, R-Redlands
“I support the governor’s efforts and expect him to stick to his guns and not raise taxes.”
Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia, R-Cathedral City
“Governor Schwarzenegger’s budget puts the needs of California’s families first – more classrooms, healthcare for low-income kids, police teams to track sexual predators and a plan to rebuild our crumbling highways. The ball is now in the Legislature’s court to make this budget proposal a reality.”
Assemblyman Tom Harman, R-Huntington Beach
“Taxpayers deserve an honest and accountable state budget that funds the state’s growing transportation projects and works toward reducing the state’s structural debt. I look forward to working with Governor Schwarzenegger and my colleagues over the next few months to develop a fair and sound budget.”
Assemblyman Guy Houston, R-San Ramon
“Governor Schwarzenegger believes that all children should be treated equally. The $200 million in ‘equalization’ funding that he is proposing for K-12 education helps erase decades of discrimination against my constituents. All of our children deserve an equal education, regardless of where they live.
“I also am pleased to see the governor’s plan to make a serious investment in our infrastructure. We cannot continue our business as usual. I came up to Sacramento to build roads, increase our water supply, improve our flood control system and increase our energy capacity. The time is right to make the tough choices needed to invest in our future.”
Assemblyman Bob Huff, R-Diamond Bar
“I am pleased that the governor has introduced a budget with no new taxes that emphasizes the need to invest in our long-neglected transportation infrastructure. At the same time, he has outlined the importance of remaining fiscally responsible. As negotiations continue, we must all keep in mind that while revenues are increasing, the state continues to face a structural budget deficit.”
Assemblyman Rick Keene, R-Chico
“It’s a great template for future budget discussions. I am very encouraged to see a new budget committed to catching up with prior obligations. I look forward to working with the governor to ensure that one-time monies are used for one-time expenditures.”
Assemblyman Bill Maze, R-Visalia
“If we want to further job growth and our newfound economic prosperity, we need a budget that finally makes structural reforms, which are long overdue, and contains no new taxes. The governor also stressed forward thinking with improvements to infrastructure, and I want to see improvements made in important areas such as transportation and above-ground water storage.”
Assemblyman Dennis Mountjoy, R-Monrovia
“The state of California must have a balanced budget. The continuing structural deficit can only be corrected with responsible spending of our current resources. I am pleased to hear that the governor is not proposing any new taxes or tax increases. Education and public safety can remain as top priorities without increasing taxes.”
Assemblyman Alan Nakanishi, R-Lodi
“The governor has shown his commitment to rebuilding infrastructure, including levees. It is great to have a governor who is investing in the future, and at the same time is not raising taxes, and not cutting Medi-Cal.”
Assemblyman Roger Niello, R-Fair Oaks
“The results of holding the line against new taxes are in, and are reflected in the increased revenues to the state. With no new additional taxes, California continues to make progress on the $35 billion deficit hole of only a few years ago. The Legislature now needs to craft a budget that handles these new revenues in a responsible manner and continues work on the structural deficit.”
Assemblywoman Sharon Runner, R-Lancaster
“The governor’s budget proposes dramatic infrastructure and transportation improvements that will benefit all Californians. While I look forward to thoroughly reviewing the entire budget over the next few weeks, I applaud the governor for his bold and ambitious agenda, and for continuing to hold to his commitment to not raise taxes.”
Assemblyman Todd Spitzer, R-Orange
“We must continue advocating for fiscal discipline in the coming year as we work to reduce the structural debt that has crippled our state for the past several years. Improving infrastructure and mobility in this state is vital to improving our business climate, but it is essential that these necessary reforms do not come at the expense of increased tax burdens on California residents. This budget places Sacramento’s focus where it belongs – on our schools, our children and our overall quality of life.”
Assemblyman Mike Villines, R-Clovis
“The governor has laid out a bold blueprint for rebuilding California. I look forward to working with Governor Schwarzenegger and my colleagues over the next few months to develop a fiscally responsible plan to finance his vision for our future. By enacting common-sense reforms and applying sound fiscal discipline, we can rebuild our state and prevent another spending crisis from crippling California in the future. The time for action is now – we can’t afford to wait.”
Assemblywoman Mimi Walters, R-Laguna Niguel
“In his State of the State address, Governor Schwarzenegger placed heavy emphasis on our state’s dire need for improvement of our infrastructure. If our state’s economy is to continue recovering, we must plan ahead and build the roads and other infrastructure we will need in the near future. Right now, we are driving on roads that exceeded their maximum capacity 10 years ago, while our commute times increase daily.”