Approve A Budget!

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro
Senator Patricia A. Wiggins

I am writing to urge you to take action to help reach a final budget agreement that will address the ongoing state budget deficit. As you are aware, State Controller John Chiang recently called for immediate action on the part of the Governor and the Legislature to reach a consensus for the current fiscal year and Fiscal Year 2009-2010 and announced that California will face an enormous cash flow deficit that will begin on February 1st of this year.

More specifically, I am concerned about his reports that our State is showing no signs of any economic recovery and that California will face a $346 million cash flow deficit by the end of February and a projected $5.2 billion shortfall by the end of April. This amount may exceed $10 billion by July, which is particularly alarming since we have failed to make progress in meeting the $41.6 billion deficit projected over an 18-month period ending June 2010.

In response, the State Controller is proposing to delay payments for programs and services that are not mandated by the California Constitution, Federal law, or court rulings and may be forced to issue registered warrants in the immediate future. Although he will issue payments for some of these programs, I am concerned about the ways in which the cash flow shortage will impact the state economy, certain programs and services for seniors and people with disabilities, and state agencies that administer programs if the State Controller is obligated to implement his proposed plans.

I understand that the Governor and Members of the Legislature have political and ideological differences that impede a budget agreement, but these differences pale in comparison to the tragic human and economic consequences of continued impasses. Accordingly, I respectfully urge you to do all that you can to help vulnerable populations and our diminishing state economy that threatens the lives and well being of all Californians.

Sincerely,