Assemblyman Bob Huff Votes Against Irresponsible Budget Proposal
Decries Democrats' Rejection of Budget Reform Measure ACA 19 

Sacramento, CA (August 18, 2008) - Assemblyman Bob Huff voted yesterday to oppose a Democrat budget plan that would raise taxes by $6.8 billion, noting the potential devastating effects of higher taxes on hard-working Californians. He urged his Democratic colleagues to roll up their sleeves and work with Republicans to pass a fiscally responsible, balanced budget and implement genuine budget reform. 

"It is highly ironic that Assembly Democrats put up a budget plan that would increase spending by $2 billion just days after voting down in committee a Republican budget reform proposal which would limit annual state spending, Assembly Constitutional Amendment 19," Assemblyman Huff stated. "Balancing the state budget this year will be an empty gesture if we fail to fix what is essentially a broken system. ACA 19 would restrict spending growth and place excess revenue in a rainy day fund to be used during future fiscal crises and to pay down state debt. It is a common sense measure and I am sorry my Democrat colleagues are not committed to getting the state's long-term budget problems under control."  

"I voted against the budget put forward by Assembly Democrats because it is the height of irresponsibility to increase health and welfare spending by more than 6 percent when the state faces a $15 billion deficit. The budget is now more than 7 weeks overdue. It is time to get serious and pass a budget that Californians deserve," the Assemblyman concluded.

JIM SILVA VOTES AGAINST BUDGET BILL
Says Lack of Budget Priorities Hurts California Families 

SACRAMENTO - On Sunday, August 17, 2008, Assemblyman Jim Silva, R-Huntington Beach, joined Assembly Republicans in voting against AB 1781, the budget bill that would raise taxes on Californians by almost $7 billion. Silva said the proposal would hurt hardworking families that are already feeling the effects of a slumping economy. 

"My colleagues and I have stated for months that we will not vote for any budget proposal that raises taxes," commented Silva. "Yet with 400,000 jobs lost since year, Democrats continue to call for tax increases. Instead of punishing families, the Legislature needs to prioritize spending and cut out the waste." 

The budget bill introduced by the Budget Conference Committee spends $105 billion, $2 billion more than last year. It also increases taxes by $6.8 billion and increases welfare spending by 5.4 percent. AB 1781 cuts public safety spending and includes a parole plan that releases thousands of criminals into California communities upon being discharged from prison, without the supervision of a parole officer.
 
"I feel that we have to have priorities in our budget," continued Silva. "The Democrats want to cut spending in one area--public safety. Yet they insist on increasing spending on programs benefiting illegal immigrants. With priorities like this, it's no wonder our state is over $15 billion in the red."

Silva ended his comments by pointing out what Republicans are asking for in this year's budget. 

"Republicans," Silva concluded, "want real budget reform."