05/24/2008 GAAS:285:08 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version | En Español | Email / Share
Guest Host Jim Brulte Discusses State Budget in Governor’s Weekly Radio Address
English and Spanish transcripts of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's weekly radio address, hosted this week by former Senate Republican Leader Jim Brulte, are below.
English:
The 3-minute, 11-second address is available at http://gov.ca.gov/mp3/press/GovAddressMayRevise052308_mus_jb.mp3. The file is 1.27 MB.
A "clean" version of the address is available at http://gov.ca.gov/mp3/press/GovAddressMayRevise052308_dry_jb.mp3. The file is 1.25 MB.
Spanish:
The 3-minute, 38-second address is available at http://gov.ca.gov/mp3/press/GovAddressMayRevise052308_span_mus_jb.mp3. The file is 1.45 MB.
A "clean" version of the address is available at http://gov.ca.gov/mp3/press/GovAddressMayRevise052308_span_dry_jb.mp3. The file is 1.43 MB.
JIM BRULTE:
Hi, this is former Senate Republican Leader Jim Brulte, filling in for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger with another California Report.
Last week, the Governor released his proposed budget. It is a responsible, balanced approach that makes tough cuts and also raises billions of dollars in new revenue.
But instead of raising taxes by over $3 billion as the Legislative Analyst has recommended, the Governor proposes to modernize our outdated and underperforming Lottery, and then ask voters to securitize its higher revenues.
Getting more value out of a state-owned asset is an idea that just makes sense.
The Governor's budget also fully funds schools, keeps parks open and inmates locked up.
And it does all this without the normal Sacramento tricks of raiding pension accounts,
robbing from local government, or stealing our Prop 42 transportation funds.
And most importantly, it implements the type of real budget reform that Sacramento desperately needs by putting in place a constitutionally required rainy-day fund.
This would rein in spending and ensure that politicians no longer allocate every penny that comes into the state treasury, and that would be a big victory for the people of California.
But, typical for Sacramento, the Governor's proposal was met with protests from both the left and the right - from both legislators and interest groups.
Some people forget that the Governor is the only elected official who has put together an entire budget.
So it's easy for interest groups to pick apart bits and pieces to complain about, since they are singularly concerned with their particular program or funding and not the health and stability of the entire budget.
And it's much easier for legislators, especially those posturing for re-election, to complain about what they don't like, as opposed to praising what they do like.
The Republicans say: "There aren't enough cuts."
The Democrats say: "This has too many cuts, we just need to raise taxes"- as if raising taxes was the solution to everything.
The Governor released his first budget in January.
Now he has presented his revised budget in May.
The Legislative Analyst has also stepped forward with two alternative proposals.
But we have not yet seen any plan from the legislature, only complaints from the sidelines.
As the Governor has said, the ball is now in their court.
He has been asking legislators for their ideas since January, so it's time for them to step forward.
He means it when he says, all ideas should be on the table.
So let's quit the posturing, Sacramento.
Roll-up your sleeves, hunker down, and get to work.
On behalf of Governor Schwarzenegger, this is Jim Brulte.
Thank you for listening.
