State Budget In Governor’s Hands Now
State lawmakers have turned over their proposed budget to Governor Jerry Brown.KEY News just spoke with 35th District State Assemblyman Das Williams about what’s in the proposed spending plan. He says they actually wrapped up early. Williams says cuts had to be made in almost every category except education. He says education funding has been saved for now, but it’s only dependent on passage of the Governor’s tax proposals on the November ballot. If they fail, Williams says they will be forced to cut another $5.6 billion dollars and it would be devastating to education in the State of California. It would be equivalent to wiping out 15 days from the school year.The budget just turned over the Governor on Friday just hours before the deadline, includes about $7 billion dollars in spending cuts. Health and Human Services took the hardest hit according to Williams. Teacher positions at all state hospitals have been eliminated. Those cuts in particular hit very close to home for Williams because his mother is a teacher at Atascadero State Hospital, “It was very rough” said Willams as he listed the various cuts.In-Home Support Services and Cal-Works, known to most people as Welfare, were cut as well. Those programs help the elderly and disabled.Williams says lawmakers and the Governor appear to be 99-percent in agreement on the proposed budget. Governor Brown now has 12 days to veto it, sign it or send portions back. He also has line item veto ability.Assemblyman Das Williams will join us live on KEY News at 6 tonight.
