Senator Atkins Issues Statement on Governor’s Proposed Budget

Senator Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) today issued the following statement on the release of Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2017-18:

“California’s economy is strong in part because the Governor and the Legislature have for the past several years produced prudent budgets. However, that fiscal restraint has been accompanied by smart, targeted investments in programs that lift Californians up. Further investments in our residents are necessary, when the money is available, but the Governor is right to be cautious amid shrinking revenue growth and the possible repeal of the Affordable Care Act.

“The Governor has taken $400 million for affordable housing off the negotiating table, and that underscores the importance of my SB 2, which will create a permanent source of funding for affordable homes. We must respond to the severe housing crisis facing us – our families and our economy depend on it.

“I applaud the Governor’s unrelenting focus on climate change, his commitment to expanding healthcare access to more Californians and his proposed spending on local roads and transit. I’m concerned about the proposal to phase out the Middle Class Scholarship, and I’m looking forward to digging deeper into the higher-education budget to assess the impact on our students.”