A year ago, the senator was on the hot seat for his opposition
to a delayed budget.
Hollister
State Sen. Jeff Denham said today he would continue to oppose any tax increases as the governor and state legislators continue to wrangle over California’s long overdue budget. The senator who represents San Benito County also suggested the state should sell many properties, such as the Oakland Coliseum, to boost revenues.
Denham, R-Merced, expressed skepticism at Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s balancing-act proposals and offered some of his own ideas and concerns regarding California’s current fiscal crisis.
Denham opposes both of Schwarzenegger’s latest ideas, the first being a 1 percent sales-tax hike throughout California.
“That is the wrong way to go,” Denham said, “especially in San Benito County where people are just trying to keep food on the table.”
The governor’s second idea is to go after funds from Prop. 42, which requires that revenue from state fuel taxes be used for transportation issues; and Prop 1a, which prohibits state government from taking local property-tax proceeds.
“I am very mindful of the governor’s idea to raid those proposals,” said Denham, “and I will continue to fight to keep those whole.
San Benito County spoke very loudly and clearly, and we need to obey the will of the people.”
Last year, Denham was among a group of state senators that caused a lengthy standoff when they opposed the proposed budget. He later faced a recall effort, which was widely defeated, that centered on his stance during those budget deliberations.
Denham’s stance for the 2008-09 fiscal year revolves around a “combination of new revenues as well as cuts,” he said.
Denham added that he would be in favor of selling many state-owned properties such as San Quentin, the Oakland Coliseum and hundreds of other smaller pieces of state-owned land.
“I think the biggest issue regarding this matter is that we must put in the reforms today so that we don’t have to put up with this every year,” he said.
Denham added that even if a 1 percent tax increase goes into effect, California would still be $5 billion short of balancing next year’s budget.
The state senator also expressed concern about water storage issues in San Benito County, adding that the lack of an approved budget could tie up funds headed toward the problem.
Regarding schools, he said locals should be concerned about rural crime prevention dollars in the budget.
“Democrats took that funding out of the budget and they don’t want to not put it back in,” he said. “That money reduces the amount of rural crime, helping local farmers.”
