It took the longest day in Assembly history, but the State
Legislature finally approved a Budget Act after more than 27 hours
of locked-down negotiations.
There was never any doubt that reaching compromise in this
year’s budget debate wouldn’t be easy. With a record deficit
resulting from the downturn in the state and national economies,
the decisions before the Legislature were often painful.
It took the longest day in Assembly history, but the State Legislature finally approved a Budget Act after more than 27 hours of locked-down negotiations.
There was never any doubt that reaching compromise in this year’s budget debate wouldn’t be easy. With a record deficit resulting from the downturn in the state and national economies, the decisions before the Legislature were often painful.
The choices I had to make during this budget deliberation were some of the most difficult I have faced in my 14 years of public service. But a budget had to be passed. Further delay would have been devastating to those awaiting payments from the state, including our elementary schools, child care providers, health care providers, small businesses and community colleges, just to name a few.
Last Sunday, the Senate took the first step by approving a compromise budget plan, (without a single vote to spare). As the Assembly reviewed the Senate’s plan, one concern immediately came to the forefront: the Senate’s plan would be devastating to rural law enforcement.
This plan would have cut the Rural County Law Enforcement Grants and the Sheriffs’ Training Program, a cumulative cut of $37 million. Compared to a total deficit of $38 billion, this may not seem significant. But to the small counties receiving those funds, they are vital.
San Benito County estimates that the Senate plan would have resulted in a $500,000 reduction to county law enforcement, which translates to a loss of 6 or 7 deputy sheriffs. Through the course of the 27-hour lockdown, the Assembly came to its own compromise, agreeing to restore the cuts the Senate had made and preserving that vital law enforcement funding.
Another bright point in this budget is the preservation of funding for the Williamson Act. From the beginning, I joined with my colleagues representing agricultural areas to protect the Williamson Act.
The loss of the funding would have threatened valuable and irreplaceable farmland, but it would have also meant a devastating financial blow to San Benito County, which receives around $700,000 each year in Williamson Act subventions.
It is often said that perfection is the enemy of the good. We could not hold out for a perfect budget and risk doing irrevocable damage to the state with our delay. So we compromised on a good budget instead, knowing we must return to work to address the structural reforms we need to return California to solid financial footing.
Simon Salinas represents the 28th Assembly district, which encompasses all of San Benito County.
