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The Governor Proposes Deeper Cuts, a Power Grab, & No Real Solutions

Now, Legislators Must Take Responsibility

The Revised Budget Is a Missed Opportunity & Makes Our Chronic Budget Problems Worse
Slashes Education, Healthcare, and Other Vital Services
• Education. The Governor’s May budget takes $4.3 billion out of education, and will increase class sizes, even though California ranks 49th in k-12 class size.
• Homecare. One fifth of all seniors and people with disabilities who need help to live independently in their own homes would either lose their homecare or have their hours reduced. This can mean the difference between living independently and being able to go to work or losing one's independence and being institutionalized.
• Healthcare. The Governor's healthcare cuts will take healthcare away from 900,000 parents and children, which will force families to delay care, get sicker, and then end up using emergency rooms as their ultimate back-up.

The Governor’s Power Grab, Disguised as "Reform," Would Create Worse Problems in the Future
• The Governor would give himself and any future Governor the power to make cuts without the Legislature having any say about it; if this were in place today, all of the cuts listed above would already be a done deal.

The Lottery Gamble is More Borrowing Instead of Real Solutions
• The Governor proposes more borrowing, this time $15 billion against future lottery earnings from selling more lottery tickets. Even if this worked, it would still only be a short-term fix.

It's Now up to Legislators to Take Responsibility and Decide
• Somebody in Sacramento has to take responsibility. EVERY legislator needs to hear that it is his or her job to offer real solutions. It's our job to speak out and hold them accountable for the sake of our children and our future. 

 For more information:
May revise cuts summary 05 21 08 May Revise Budget Cuts Summary
May revise talking points 5-22-08 May Revise Talking Points