Assemblyman Jim Silva votes against Democrate-proposed 2012-2013 California state budget

The following information was released by the office of Assemblyman Jim Silva.

Today, Democrats in the Legislature approved a majority-vote budget on a party- line vote. The budget plan was based largely on their hope that voters will approve $8.5 billion in new taxes in November.

“Basing a budget on the fantasy of a voter-approved tax increase five months later shows a commitment to denying the reality and gravity of California’s fiscal crisis,” said Silva.

“Democrats wanted a majority-vote budget and they got it. Still, with a Democrat-controlled Legislature and a Democrat in the Governor’s office, the best they can do is give us a budget that is not balanced, does not include a spending cap and does not include any pension reform,” Silva continued. “What Democrats passed today was the bare minimum in order for lawmakers to continue to get paid.”

The 2012-13 budget spends $92 billion out of the state’s General Fund and $142 billion overall, an increase of over $5 billion in General Fund spending over last year. The Democrats’ budget relies on voters passing an $8.5 billion tax increase in November. If Californians vote the tax increase down, K-14 education will face $5.5 billion in “trigger cuts,” automatic cuts that will take place in lieu of tax revenue.

Silva commented, “The most outrageous thing about this budget is the fact that Democrats are holding it over the heads of public education. By not making education a priority, Democrats and the Governor want to punish the education system to the tune of $5.5 billion if the voters don’t approve an irresponsible tax increase.”

“This budget is irresponsible, short-sighted and fails to prioritize spending.”

Assemblyman Jim Silva represents the 67th Assembly District, which includes the communities of Anaheim, Cypress, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Rossmoor, Seal Beach, Stanton, Sunset Beach and Westminster.