Dear Fellow Californian:

Governor Brown's State of the State Address was a reaffirmation of the merits of his recently released, 2012-2013 spending plan proposal that would make significant cuts in order to continue California's path to fiscal recovery. His plan includes $10.3 billion in deep cuts to student aid, child care and health and human services programs to address a $9.2 billion budget shortfall, with a $1.1 billion reserve. The proposal is based on an assumption that Californians will reject even more cuts to education and public safety by levying a temporary tax increase through a ballot initiative in November.

These budget deficit numbers may sound ominous, but as the Governor said, "California is on the mend." Our deficit problem is only one quarter of what it was last year. Make no mistake, we are slowly paying down "California’s wall of debt." Clearly, the tough decisions the Legislature has made in recent years are bearing fruit.

Nevertheless, more work is necessary to find a balance in protecting much needed safety nets, education and public safety, while erasing the deficit once and for all. The Governor’s budget proposal takes a balanced approach for an improving, but still fragile economy. I look forward to working with the Governor and my colleagues to approve a budget that builds on the fiscal progress of last year, yet reflects the values and priorities of most Californians.

Now that the Legislature is back in session, it is a good time to reconfirm my commitment to you that my priorities here in Sacramento are your priorities. Please contact me or a member of my staff with any concerns or suggestions.

Sincerely,

Jose Solorio
State Assemblyman