Sacramento, CA—Assemblymember Joan Buchanan (D-Alamo) today made the following comments on her opposition to education cuts in the state budget.

“I cannot vote to suspend Prop 98. Nor can I vote for additional cuts in funding for K-12 education,” said Assemblymember Buchanan. “I am disappointed that the final budget brought to the floor today does both. Because of my strong commitment to funding for our schools, I cast NO votes on both of these measures.”

Continued Assemblymember Buchanan: “I understand the realities of California’s budget, and education has had to share the pain the past two years. We cannot allow class sizes to continue to increase or additional programs to be cut and expect our children to become our future workers and leaders. A well-educated workforce is the key to long-term economic growth. Without a quality education system, we lose our ability to create and retain businesses in California. My opposition to these further cuts underscores my ongoing commitment to education in California.”

Pension reform and job retention also were important bills passed by the Assembly today and supported by Assemblymember Buchanan. The pension formulas for how retirements are calculated will be rolled back to pre-1999 pension benefit levels as this budget bill repeals SB 400, a bill passed in 1999 that lowered the retirement age and increased benefits. Additionally, the budget provides funding to help spur new private sector jobs in small businesses throughout the state. The budget also will put a measure on the ballot to require a rainy day fund.

“This is not a perfect budget, but it maintains the important safety net, helps small businesses, and takes steps in the right direction on pension and budget reform,” said Assemblymember Buchanan. “We must strive to work together to put California back on track.”

ontact: Michelle Henry (916) 319-2015