September 19, 2008 - Assemblywoman Caballero’s Statement on Passage of Final State Budget Compromise

Prolonged Budget Process Underscores Need for Reform
SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Anna Caballero (D-28) issued the following statement regarding the Legislature’s passage of a compromise budget package for FY 2008-09:

“With our budget votes today we were able to close a sad chapter in California’s budget history. When the governor signs the budget, state funding will once again be available to fund education for our children, health programs for the sick, and the many businesses who provide the goods and services that help our state function.

“But this budget took way too long to pass, and it falls far short of our long-term needs. There is no question but that we will be back in a few months, fighting once again to encourage our Republican colleagues to work with us on real reforms to end California’s boom and bust deficits.

"This painful delay in passing a budget should not have happened. It provided a vivid example of why California needs to do what 47 other states do: approve their budgets with a majority vote. It’s time to amend our constitution, which permits a handful of legislators to hold up a budget that affects millions of Californians.

“It’s also time to modernize our tax system. We have a 21st century economy with a 19th century tax system. These are some of the changes that I will be working toward in the months ahead.”