In the ongoing and difficult California budget process, the Republican Party has been called “obstructionist.” Governor Brown has challenged Republican leaders to step forward with proposals that will move California forward and solve the state’s structural deficit problems. Our own District 15 senator, Sam Blakeslee, is showing real leadership with tangible and concrete proposals for fixing the budget issues in both the short and long-term. Sen. Blakeslee and the GOP 5 have accepted the governor’s challenge and are investigating and proposing inventive ideas that will create private sector jobs and control government spending and taxation.
These reforms are designed to limit runaway government spending, restrain unsustainable pension practices, and spur economic growth. An accountable government, serving the people, will support a strong educational system where students are achieving, a robust economy where small business and entrepreneurs thrive, low unemployment, safe streets, and a strong law enforcement community—all of the things we Californians want from our government.
Sen. Blakeslee and the GOP 5 have issued their own challenge to Governor Brown: Join them in a bipartisan movement to achieve real reform. The GOP 5 is being attacked from both sides of the aisle. Some argue there should be no negotiation whatsoever, while the other side demands capitulation. Neither of these extremes produce results; they reward the status quo, driving our great state into further ruin.
The GOP 5 should stand firm for real reform in California.
This article appears in Mar 31 – Apr 7, 2011.
