• In response to Gov. Jerry Brown’s release of his 2014-15 budget, Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) and the National Federation of Independent Business, California, both released statements lauding the establishment of a more robust rainy-day fund. “Government should do what small business owners are required to do every day—only spend what they bring in—while making sure that they are responsible with taxpayer dollars,” John Kabateck, executive director of the California chapter of the national federation, said in a press release. Kabateck added that the governor was right to stress that now is not the time to raise taxes in California. Jackson said, in a press release from her office, that she was pleased the proposal makes investments in areas such as transportation, healthcare, and the environment, as well as nearly $10 billion in additional funding for our schools and community colleges. She added that although Brown’s proposal includes additional money for the court system, it’s not enough. “I am concerned that this remains far too little to restore a justice system that has been so decimated by cuts that access to justice is being denied,” Jackson said in the press release. “The governor’s proposal remains just that—a proposal. … I look forward to the hard work and constructive back-and-forth that will lead to the development of a final budget this summer.” However, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association President Jon Coupal said in a statement that the budget is incomplete: “We are pleased that Governor Brown’s budget reflects a fair measure of fiscal restraint and austerity,” he said. “However, it is what the Governor did not say that concerns us. CalSTRS huge unfunded liability continues to harm California’s financial health and a massive shortfall in the unemployment insurance fund will stunt job growth.”
• The Democratic Club of Santa Maria Valley’s featured speaker at January’s meeting of the club will be Ken Hough, executive director of the Santa Barbara County Action Network. It will take place on Thursday, Jan. 16 at the International House of Pancakes, 202 Nicholson Ave. in Santa Maria, at 7 p.m. A no-host social begins at 5:30 p.m. with an optional dinner starting at 6 p.m. The action network is a nonprofit organization advocating for housing, open space, and transportation issues. The presentation is free and open to the public. Reservations are requested for the dinner and can be made by calling the Democratic Club at 349-2708 or by visiting the club’s headquarters at 327 E. Plaza Drive, Suite 2, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday.
This article appears in Jan 16-23, 2014.