The State of California is now over three weeks into the
new fiscal year, which began July 1st, and still there
is no state budget However, I sincerely believe that as
a state we have a horrible spending problem, and this is
the time for us to make some meaningful reform.
The “bi-partisan” budget that was approved by the
Assembly last week was based on several questionable
assumptions, which would almost certainly produce a $2
billion dollar shortfall on top of the already
established $5 billion deficit that we must dig our way
out of next year.
Although the architects of the budget maintain that it
is “only” out of balance by $699 million, this claim
relies on several accounting gimmicks. Therefore, my
Senate Republicans colleagues and I were tasked to
provide a balanced budget, and I am proud to say that we
have met and exceeded these expectations. The budget we
proposed protects public safety programs and fully funds
education. It limits the growth in spending and
establishes a surplus of $143 million as opposed to a
$699 million deficit in the Democrat proposed budget.
If we don’t work to permanently resolve this problem
now, we will place this debt squarely on the back of our
children. For these reasons, I, along with my good
friend and Republican colleague, Senator Tom McClintock,
introduced Senate Constitutional Amendment 8 earlier
this year, which would require the state and Legislature
to live within our means, just as we expect every family
in this state to do. SCA 8 would put teeth back into the
provisions of the Gann Initiative (Proposition 4) that
was passed by nearly 75 percent of the voters in 1979.
The Gann Initiative limited state spending to the prior
year’s levels with increases only allowed for population
growth and cost of living.
Rest assured, I will not support a budget that is
predicated on the mismanagement of the people’s money.
The backdoor borrowing and deficit spending must stop.
It is imperative that we live within our means, and I am
hopeful that my colleagues across the aisle will share
our priorities to stop spending more than the state
receives.
Free Workshop for Homeowners
I'm pleased to host with Assemblyman Van Tran a free
workshop to help Orange County residents make informed
decisions when buying a home or dealing with existing
mortgages. The workshop will also provide guidance for
homeowners currently facing foreclosure.
The workshop will be held Saturday, August 17th from
8:30 AM to noon at the Westminster Rose Center, 14140
All American Way in Westminster. Speakers will include
Lucy Dunn, President & CEO, Orange County Business
Council; The Honorable Rosario Marin, Secretary, State
and Consumer Services Agency; and Steve Davi,
Commissioner, California Department of Real Estate.
If you plan on attending, please bring any loan
documents, delinquency notices or questions you might
have. The speakers will be followed by a question and
answer time, and numerous resource tables will be set up
to provide information and advice for those who attend.
For more information about the event, please don't
hesitate to contact my District Office at (714) 957-4555
or go
HERE.
High-Tech Advisory Committee -
I was very pleased to meet with various
high-tech business leaders to hear about issues of
importance to their industry. I’d like to thank the
American Electronics Association of Orange County &
Inland Empire and Alvaka Networks Inc., a leader in
providing advanced network management solutions, for
hosting the meeting. During this meeting I had an
opportunity to hear about the issues impacting high-tech
businesses in the 35th District. I am committed to
fighting against the taxes and government mandates that
are negatively impacting this industry, and will
continue to seek solutions to promoting business and job
creation in the state
Huntington Beach Senior Center -
I enjoyed visiting with the senior citizens’
lunch club at the Huntington Beach Michael E. Rogers
Seniors’ Center earlier this week. I provided an
update on the budget stalemate in Sacramento and
reiterated my commitment to reigning in
out-of-control spending.
WebWise Kids -
I recently toured WebWise Kids in Santa Ana.
Judi Westberg Warren and Monique Nelson, President
and Executive Vice President respectively,
demonstrated how WebWise Kids uses state-of-the-art
internet games to empower youth to make wiser choices
when using the Internet. Log onto
www.webwisekids.orgto see how you can create a
safer online environment for your children.
Tax Tips: Get Help With E-filing
The Board of Equalization is partnering with the
California Franchise Tax Board, Internal Revenue
Service, and Employment Development Department to
present various workshops and exhibits about
electronic tax filing. Both individuals and
businesses will be covered, along with the e-services
offered to tax professionals. At the event, you can
receive help enrolling in the e-file programs, talk
to e-services representatives from the government
agencies involved, test the latest e-file software
and earn continuing education credits. For more
information and to find the e-file workshop nearest
to you, go to:
http://www.ftb.ca.gov/emailapps/efile_seminars.asp.
I’m pleased to announce that any senior citizen who
lives in the 35th Senate District can contact EyeCare
America for a free medical eye exam and care for any
disease diagnosed for up to one year.
The program is sponsored by the American Academy of
Ophthalmology. More than 600 volunteer
ophthalmologists in California provide no-cost
medical eye care information and services through
EyeCare America.
The help line operates 24 hours a day, every day,
year round. To be eligible, you must be a U.S.
citizen or legal resident; 65 or older; have not seen
an ophthalmologist in three or more years; and not
belong to an HMO or the VA.
The EyeCare America Seniors Program can be reached at
800-222-3937.
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