Senator Atkins Reacts to Governor Brown’s Final State of the State Address

SACRAMENTO—Sen. Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) issued the following statement regarding Gov. Jerry Brown’s final State of the State address:

“Today’s final State of the State address by our one-of-a-kind Governor included many of the hallmarks of his extraordinary leadership – the dry humor, the impressive intellect, the fierce resistance to federal policies that would take California backward, and the steadfast commitment to serving and protecting our taxpayers.

“With help from the voters, Governor Brown has made California is stronger, safer, and more prosperous. His unwavering devotion to the natural environment and commitment to long-term sustainability is a model for leaders around the world. As he has negotiated budgets, California’s taxpayers have always been foremost in his thoughts, and more often than not, he has struck an appropriate balance between being cautious with the people’s resources and making targeted investments that lift our residents up and improve our quality of life.

“He’s been the right leader at the right time, and he deserves tremendous credit for keeping California a beacon light of opportunity and inclusivity during a time of darkness – not just for America but around the world. He is, without a doubt, one of the most important leaders in California’s storied history.

“But the hard work is not done. We have much to do – such as better prepare for the natural disasters that are increasingly frequent, and enhance our community mental-health and drug-treatment programs to reduce homelessness and crime. It’s an honor for me to have the chance to work closely with Governor Brown one last time in 2018.”

###