More Information

No severe cuts:

• These severe cuts will devastate millions of poor and middle-class Californians and shred the safety net when people need it most. Our safety net must be preserved.
• As Democrats, we stand firmly against the severity of the cuts. We will do everything possible to minimize the cuts and the harm they will inflict.
• The cuts recklessly hurt the people who need the most help during these tough economic times – women, children, the sick and the elderly.
• Besides being cruel, the governor's cuts-only budget doesn't add up. It will drain $24 billion from California's economy, stunting the state's recovery efforts.
• Obstructionist Republicans would rather defend tax breaks for oil companies and big business than keep kids insured and allow the frail elderly to remain in their homes.
• It is unconscionable for legislative Republicans to play politics with the budget. Saying 'no' isn't a solution; it's a cop-out.
• Many of the cuts are penny-wise, pound-foolish. Slashing health coverage for two million Californians forces them to seek care in overburdened emergency rooms. Other cuts could result in a loss of billions in federal funds.
• Californians need a balanced budget solution that includes revenue increases. The budget must look at what services all Californians need and how to pay for them.
• Last December, the Legislature passed an $18-billion plan to reduce the state deficit. If the governor had not vetoed that sensible package, California would not be in such a mess now.

Budget fast facts:

• The current budget deficit is estimated between $19 billion-$24 billion. Legislators already cut billions from the state budget earlier this year, but the economy has continued to deteriorate.
• The governor’s current budget proposal is unbalanced – it’s nearly two-thirds program reductions and one-third revenue and borrowing.
• Nearly two million Californians will lose health insurance if the Healthy Families program for children is eliminated and Medi-Cal is cut by $1 billion.
• More than 1 million women and children will be left without any means of subsistence if the CalWORKS program is ended.
• California kids and young adults will be harmed if the Cal Grant program is axed and billions of dollars are cut from K-14 public education.
• About 70,000 abused and neglected children will suffer if $200 million is cut from foster care programs.
• More than 400,000 low-income seniors and people with disabilities would lose the ability to live at home with help and would be forced into more expensive nursing homes and group homes if In-Home Supportive Services are cut back.

More information is available from the California Budget Project (PDF) and from the California Legislative Analyst.