May Revise Underscores Need for Immediate Action to Prevent Devastating Budget Cuts

Statement by California Labor Federation Executive Secretary-Treasurer Art Pulaski

“With the release of the May revision of the state budget today, the governor provided a pathway to free California from the perpetual budget crises that have plagued our state in recent years. Legislators must act immediately to adopt the governor’s balanced proposal to prevent additional devastating cuts to schools, public safety and other essential services.

“As a state, we can’t afford to allow politics as usual to stand in the way of making the tough choices needed to move forward. It must be priority No. 1 to prevent more cuts that will flat-line our economic recovery just as it finally begins to show signs of life. An all-cuts budget flatly ignores the values Californians share. Elected leaders in the Assembly and Senate need to display the political courage that Californians demand of them to solve this crisis directly, free of gimmicks.

“While we support the governor’s balanced approach of spending cuts and extending existing revenues, it’s disappointing that the he’s altered his common-sense proposal to eliminate the costly and ineffective enterprise zone tax credits. These and other handouts to large corporations bleed the state of hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars every year that could be used to fund higher education and real job-creating programs. While it’s a positive sign that the governor’s addressing some of the worst abuses of the program, more needs to be done. The governor and legislature must continue to push for its outright elimination.

“The time for inaction and political posturing is over. California families demand real leadership to solve this crisis. Working people urge the legislature to swiftly pass the governor’s responsible proposal to extend existing taxes so that our state can get back on the road to recovery.”

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