Sen. Leno Issues Statement on LAO Fiscal Outlook

SACRAMENTO – Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) released the following statement today regarding the Legislative Analyst’s Office Fiscal Outlook on the state budget.

“Last year at this time California was facing a $27.6 billion budget deficit. In one year we have decreased that deficit by more than half, but we unfortunately did so with great sacrifice by cutting billions of dollars in funding for schools and universities, health care and social services that assist elderly Californians, disabled people and lower and middle class families. In this sluggish global economy, we must continue to tackle the state’s crisis with thoughtful solutions. While the fiscal outlook tells us that additional cuts are unavoidable, we can’t continue to maintain important investments in our future with one hand tied behind our backs. Revenue, not just cuts, must be a part of the equation if we are serious about creating new jobs and rebuilding California’s prosperity. Continuing to give away billions in tax breaks to large corporations that then turn around and create jobs out of state at the expense of our colleges and universities is a formula for disaster.”