Republicans in the California legislature say they can balance the state budget without raising taxes or cutting education.
They unveiled their own budget proposal today. Assembly Minority Leader Connie Conway says it offers a third alternative to Governor Jerry Brown’s tax measure and his proposed trigger cuts to schools if that measure fails. “We are responding to the taxpayers’ priorities. At the same time, we believe we are offering some great solutions. I only hope our friends across the aisle take a few minutes to pay attention to that," said Conway.
The GOP plan starts with the cuts proposed in the governor’s January budget. It then relies on mostly one-time savings, such as a billion dollars in leftover redevelopment funds currently earmarked for affordable housing projects and $1.3 billion in unspent Proposition 63 money intended for mental health programs.
Other Republican cuts would include state worker savings equivalent to one furlough day a month and additional cuts to In-Home Supportive Services.