Senator Jim Beall's Reaction to the Governor's Budget

SACRAMENTO – Senator Jim Beall, D-San Jose, chairman of the Senate Transportation and Housing, issues this statement regarding Governor Brown’s proposed 2018-2019 budget:

“I support the Governor’s cautious approach to the budget given the uncertainty about how California will be affected by the new federal tax plan and federal cuts to health care. We need to protect the state’s existing health care programs. It is prudent to hold back money until we can understand the impacts of the federal budget and tax laws. We will be carefully studying the ramifications of the actions taken in Washington, D.C.

“It is wise to put more state dollars in the emergency rainy day fund and continue paying down debts and liabilities as much as possible. If there are opportunities to increase funding for schools and colleges, I believe we should do that.

“As for transportation budget, I support the fast implementation of projects funded by SB 1. We are going to insist that the money be spent quickly to reduce the backlog of road repairs and I support investments in public transit modernization to take cars off the road, such as the BART-to-San Jose extension. I am also very glad to see the Governor’s budget preserves the climate change actions that were agreed upon last year.’’