[GPCA Updates] GPCA RELEASE: Response to Governor's Budget

[Green Party of California Updates]

Green Party hits governor's protection of the wealthy, while punishing 
children, elderly and poorest in the state

GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS RELEASE

SACRAMENTO (January 8, 2010) - Despite claiming "we all share the pain," Gov. 
Arnold Schwarzenegger's budget proposal announced today again protects his 
wealthy friends and imposes cruel, draconian and life-threatening cuts on the 
poor, the elderly and children, said the Green Party of California Friday.

"The failure by the governor and legislature address the state's ongoing 
structural deficit leads to these unacceptable cuts. There are answers, 
including reforms like a split roll for Prop. 13, closing corporate tax 
loopholes, a more progressive income tax and promoting real Green jobs to 
create a more sustainable and just economy," Lisa Green, Green Party candidate 
in the 53rd Assembly District.

"The governor maintains 'children come first,' but his budget proposal 
eliminates the Healthy Families program for children's health care, and 
slashes more than $1 billion for other programs that provide relief for the 
poorest families. How is that supporting our children?" added Green.

Greens also note that the governor is chopping billions off In-Home Supportive 
Services and Medi-Cal that would put the seniors and those without health care 
in the state at great risk. In a statement, the GPCA spokesperson Derick 
Iversen said:

"The governor brags that he won't raise taxes, but that protects not the 
average citizen but the very wealthy . The failure to fund essential services 
is a de facto tax increase on working Californians to the benefit of the 
wealthiest in our state who don't pay their fair share. Even his promise to 
reduce the prison population by moving prisoners to county jails hurts because 
it will force hard-hit municipalities to make even more cuts in their health 
and human services to pay for it. Finally, the governor had promised to 
protect education, but why then does his budget cut $111.9 million in funding 
for future growth at CSU and UC? It doesn't make sense. But it's all part of a 
flim-flam scheme that hurts our state when more honest and fair remedies are 
possible."


The Green Party of California
EMail: gpca at greens.org