Assembly Democrats are laying out their opening California budget proposal ahead of negotiations that will begin early next year.
Speaker John Pérez said his caucus wants to pay down debt and build a "rainy day fund" — but also restore some of the deep cuts made during the recession.
"The reinvestments have to be targeted; they have to be measured; and they have to also serve the purpose of helping our long-term, broad-based outlook as a state," Pérez said.
Assembly Democrats are proposing universal transitional kindergarten for four-year-olds. They also want to restore cuts to welfare, child care and college financial aid and increase funding for the UC, CSU and community college systems.
The speaker said it's too early to lay out dollar amounts. However, legislative Democrats are expected to call for more spending than Gov. Jerry Brown. The governor will put out his budget proposal in about a month.
