Das Williams
While not liking the recently-approved California state budget because of its deep levels of cuts, Assemblymember Das Williams said it is the only solution that “mathematically works” given early refusal by Republicans to let voters extend tax revenues.
Democrats on Tuesday were able to pass the state budget on a majority vote based a measure previously approved by voters. No Republicans voted in favor of the $86 billion budget. Democrats had sought ask voters to approve $14 billion in tax extensions.
“Make no mistake, this budget is painful. While Democrats have reduced the structural budget deficit by 75 percent, Republicans kept moving the goal post in budget talks,” Williams, D-Santa Barbara (35th Assembly District), stated in a media release. ” First they were against letting the voters decide if revenues should be extended, then they were for it after it became obvious that an election would be difficult to hold by June. Republicans are good at saying no but a little short on honest solutions.
The University of California and California State University systems each face $150 million in cuts based on the new budget.
“The reason this budget is less than ideal is the cuts, it is not accurate for anyone to call it smoke and mirrors. It does not count $1.8 billion that the state may or may not get,” Williams said. “It depends on $4 billion more revenue next year than was previously expected, but that has a good chance cause we’ve already received $1.2 billion unanticipated since May 15th. Because of the cuts, we have reduced the structural deficit from $20 billion to $5 or $6 billion.
“We believe the revenues will hold enough to prevent any further cuts to K-12 education,” he said. “This budget prevents the proposed shortening of the school year by two weeks, which research shows would have been the worse outcome for our kids. I don’t like this budget because of the level of the cuts, but absent any republicans willing to extend revenues this is the only solution that mathematically works.”
Click here to see the entire media release.