Senator Mendoza responds to Governor Brown's 2017-2018 budget

SACRAMENTO – Senator Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia), chair of the Senate Insurance Committee and member of the Senate Budget and Education Committees, issued the following statement regarding Governor Jerry Brown’s proposed 2017-18 State Budget today:

“The Governor’s budget proposal maintains a balanced and responsible approach to state spending. Fiscal responsibility is critical and Governor Brown’s leadership has been instrumental in safeguarding California’s financial and economic stability.

“However, I am concerned about the reduced state revenues and the fiscal pressures that we may face in light of the incoming presidential administration. We need to be steadfast in our budget to ensure our fiscal stability but also live up to our current commitments. California must make certain we can meet our expenses if Federal funds were to be reduced,” said Mendoza.

“I am glad to hear that the Governor plans to expand funding for K-12 education in his Budget, while also working to make higher education more accessible. Now more than ever, it is important that we continue our forward momentum in funding education and we must be cautious not to take any steps backwards,” said Mendoza.

“Furthermore, as a member of Budget Subcommittee 2, I strongly hope to see California fulfill its promises to residents to overhaul and improve our strained infrastructure system. To that end, I have introduced Senate Bill 4 to help lessen these burdens and improve our environmental quality. I look forward to working with the Governor to provide the funding that Californians need and deserve to protect travel safety, the strength of our economic development, and the health of our residents,” said Mendoza.

“I welcome the opportunity to work once again with the Governor and my colleagues in a bipartisan effort to approve the budget by our constitutional deadline. It is critical that we continue to seize upon the state’s opportunities in the year ahead and serve the people of California,”said Mendoza.