Public Statement
Butte County State Budget Coalition :: June 10, 2009

The Butte County State Budget Coalition, a group of individuals and organizations representing a broad range of human service, health care, community improvement and educational interests, are calling upon Assemblyman Dan Logue, along with Assemblyman Jim Nielsen and Senator Sam Aanestad, to demonstrate responsible leadership by rejecting the "Cuts-Only" state budget proposed by Gov. Schwarzenegger.

We are calling for a budget solution that is based upon shared responsibility and shared sacrifice - not a solution that falls squarely upon on the shoulders of children, people with disabilities, elders, the chronically ill, the unemployed and the impoverished.

In addition to unnecessary and unprecedented human suffering, the Cuts-Only Budget will cause further economic damage to our already struggling local economy by swelling the ranks of the unemployed. Thousands of local social service, children’s services and home health care workers will lose their jobs. These newly unemployed will create an even greater burden upon our now-shredded social service programs. Economic dislocation will further strain public safety and health systems, in particular our local emergency rooms as traditional, home-based support systems will have vanished.

Finally, there ARE alternatives to shredding the social safety net. We support all Californians paying their fair share of the tax burden, including large corporations. We believe that the taxing of oil production and the closing of corporate tax loopholes and tax breaks should be included in the debate. Everyone should sacrifice to solve our state's budget problems - no individual or business should be exempt.

Contact Information: Evan LeVang: 530-680-3484 Forest Harlan: 530-896-1609