(SACRAMENTO, CA) - Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus, issued the following statement about Governor Jerry Brown's May budget proposal.
"This will be a rewarding budget to conclude. There will inevitably be some disagreements. We want to combat child poverty, expand access to higher education, invest more in transportation, and expand affordable housing. But good, big changes are coming. We are rolling out the first year of K-12 school reforms to focus on low-income and English language learning students and the Middle Class Scholarship to help make college more affordable. We are also making significant progress in providing health insurance to our people through the Affordable Care Act. Equally important is the adoption of a real rainy day fund to strengthen the state's finances and to help preserve vital investments in opportunities for California families when difficult times return. We must start calling the budget reserve what it really is – a savings account. No one should go through life without savings to fall back on, living hand to mouth. The state cannot continue to do so, lest we invite suffering to return."
Contact: Anthony Matthews, (916) 319-2019