Governor Vetos Budget BillsMarch 15, 2010 |
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 Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a budget bill last week that would have reduced the estimated $20 billion budget deficit by $2 billion, without cutting vital children's services.Democratic legislators had provided the governor with a series of bills that tackled only $4 billion out of the $20 billion estimated budget deficit. The governor vetoed half of those solutions, asserting that the bill did not actually implement reductions in the current year. He has yet to act on two other bills submitted to him, one which would exempt certain state agencies from any furloughs and the other a bill that would change how gasoline is taxed in the state. The governor did approve seven other special session budget bills, including one that will continue the 3 percent reductions to regional centers. Lawmakers have chosen to delay consideration of other major cuts to health, human services, and education programs until later this spring. Earlier this year, legislators held two budget hearings to examine the governor's proposal to redirect more than half of First 5 funding to state programs. After an outcry of protest from parents and children's advocates, legislators chose not to include the proposal in the current mid-year budget solutions. Educating state leaders about the continued need for First 5 funding in L.A. County remains a major priority. For more information on how you can respond to the governor's proposal and keep First 5 resources in the community, please visit the First 5 Association Web site: www.f5ac.org. Upcoming Budget Hearings: To help early childhood advocates navigate through the state budget deliberations and in the event that stakeholders wish to testify at hearings, First 5 LA will provide information on legislative committee meetings and hearings that affect young children and their families. Please check back for updates.
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