Dear Friends,

As we enter September, the debate over the state budget continues at the State Capitol.

Democrats and Governor Schwarzenegger have proposed raising taxes on hard-working Californians as their solution for our state's budget problems. Democrats are pushing $6.8 billion in higher taxes on many families and businesses in their budget plan, while the Governor has proposed a $15 billion sales tax increase over three years.

My Republican colleagues and I believe that we can balance the budget without punishing California families with higher taxes.

That's why we have proposed a responsible state budget plan that will balance the budget and protect priorities like education and public safety without raising taxes or borrowing from local government.

Our Republican budget plan would:

- Fund education next year at $57.9 billion, the same level proposed by both Governor Schwarzenegger and legislative Democrats.

- Reject borrowing from local government and vital transportation programs.

- Restore funding for doctors who provide health care services to the needy under the Medi-Cal program.

- Eliminate a dangerous early release proposal that would have resulted in thousands of felons being set free in our communities without being supervised by a parole officer.

- Include a strict spending limit and strong rainy day reserve to help prevent future deficits.

Like you, I am troubled by the impact California's budget impasse is having on the most vulnerable in our state.

The elderly, the disabled and those who rely on the state for health care services are hurt the hardest by our budget impasse. Many health care providers are almost completely funded by the state, and they receive no funding without a budget. Some hospitals, clinics and adult day care providers are now on the brink of having to close their doors.

California's most vulnerable should not have to suffer because we cannot agree on a budget compromise. That's why I am working with my Republican colleagues to pass an emergency continuing budget resolution that would allow the state to immediately provide funding for vital services like health care and keep these facilities open while lawmakers and the Governor continue to work through our budget differences.

Unfortunately, Governor Schwarzenegger and Democrats in the Legislature have refused to consider our proposal to provide this much needed relief. In fact, both the Governor and Senator Don Perata have said they were willing to hold out until Thanksgiving to get their tax increases. That's just irresponsible.

It's time for the Governor and Democrats to work with Republicans to craft a state budget that protects taxpayers, reduces state spending and limits state spending.

All the best,


Assemblyman Chuck DeVore
California's Seventieth District