Republicans Respond to Governor’s State of the State Address

Assembly Republican Caucus, Mike Villines, Leader

California Legislature

 ASSEMBLY REPUBLICAN CAUCUS

MIKE VILLINES, LEADER

 

 

ASSEMBLY REPUBLICANS RESPOND 

TO GOVERNOR’S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS

Sacramento– Members of the Assembly Republican Caucus had the following responses to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s State of the State address:

 Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines , Clovis  - “With a strong vision for California ’s future, Governor Schwarzenegger tonight proposed bold solutions to the serious problems facing our state. Assembly Republicans are especially pleased by the governor’s renewed commitment to paying down our state’s long-term debt and fixing our broken redistricting system once and for all.  Those are the centrist views of California ’s hardworking families.

“True bipartisanship is not when one party compromises their principles to another for the sake of public relations, it’s when we put the people of California first.  Californians want us to work together, and we must do it responsibly as adults.  We look forward to working closely with the governor and Democrats in the months ahead to fix our budget deficit and protect taxpayers.” 

Assembly Republican Caucus Chair Bob Huff, Diamond Bar - “The governor excels at pushing big-picture ideas, and I share the enthusiasm he showed tonight for making California a better place to live. Our first priorities must be to make sure the state government lives within its means, so we can pay off debt rather than accumulating more, and to continue working to attract job-creating businesses.”

 

 

Assemblyman Anthony Adams, R-Monrovia - “Tonight, Governor Schwarzenegger clearly identified redistricting as a major priority in his plan to continue moving California forward.  I appreciate the governor’s commitment to restoring fair and competitive elections to our state, and I look forward to working with him to pass a bill that takes power away from politicians and returns it to the people.”

Assemblyman Joel Anderson, R-El Cajon - “Governor Schwarzenegger has proposed some big, bold ideas. I’m excited by the opportunity to work with him to cut waste in government, address California ’s overcrowded prison crisis, and increase our ability to store water.” 

Assemblyman John J. Benoit, R-Riverside - “I’m looking forward to working with the governor to tackle California ’s multibillion-dollar structural deficit, but I must confess that I am deeply concerned that some of his proposals could hurt rather than help our state’s economic and financial health. As an elected representative of Riverside County , the fastest growing county in California , I know firsthand that there are many serious issues we must tackle this year, but it’s absolutely vital that in solving these problems we first do no harm to our state’s job climate.” 

Assemblyman Tom Berryhill, R-Modesto - “I am encouraged to hear the governor’s focus on the most important issues facing Californians. I share his concern for the small businesses and working poor of this state, and I stand ready to fight for their interests alongside the governor to address health care and welfare reforms.  I applaud his focus on a sound budget with no tax increases and the improvement of our infrastructure, including much-needed water storage, and I look forward to working with him toward these goals.” 

Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee, R-San Luis Obispo - “The governor’s speech will initiate an important debate. The question is not if we should solve these problems, but how we should solve these problems. Our state cannot afford to fail. The solutions we devise must address the underlying issues while recognizing the real financial constraints of limited resources.” 

Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, R-Irvine - “I am deeply disappointed in the governor for violating his campaign promise not to raise taxes. His health care plan includes a new 4 percent payroll tax on business that will further hurt California ’s competitiveness.” 

Assemblyman Mike Duvall, R-Brea - “I look forward to working with Governor Schwarzenegger on his ambitious infrastructure agenda.  As Assembly Transportation Committee vice chairman, I support the governor’s proposals for cost-effective and competitive public-private partnerships to repair and expand our state’s road systems.” 

Assemblyman Bill Emmerson, R-Redlands - "It’s clear California faces some very important issues, and the governor touched on some of them in his address. From my perspective, the top issues remain reducing the deficit and eliminating wasteful spending.” 

Assemblywoman Jean Fuller, R-Bakersfield - “I am encouraged by the governor’s first steps to ensuring a clean and adequate water supply for the state with his plan for additional storage. I look forward to working with him and my colleagues on this important issue, as well as water conveyance and other issues, such as expanding career technical education opportunities and balancing the budget in order to provide a bright future for the people of California .” 

Assemblyman Ted Gaines, R-Roseville - “I am very optimistic about working with my colleagues and the governor in the year ahead to find workable solutions for the betterment of California ’s hard-working families. I applaud the governor for showing strong leadership in redistricting reform, and for his dedication to improving California ’s aging infrastructure system.  California voters sent lawmakers a powerful message last year by rejecting tax increase after tax increase on the ballot. We should take the people’s judgment very seriously, and work together to better prioritize spending and reject any attempt to raise taxes on our state’s overburdened taxpayers.”  

Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia, R-Cathedral City - “I applaud the governor for his vision and leadership to take on these big issues facing the state. Now that the discussion has begun, it’s time for the Legislature and governor to work on the details of his plans for the state – I look forward to being a part of that effort.” 

Assemblyman Martin Garrick, R-Carlsbad - “Governor Schwarzenegger has outlined an aggressive approach to help solve the problems facing California . By building on last year’s bipartisan cooperation, we hope to work toward solutions that balance the state budget without raising taxes on working families or small business owners, and bring back fiscal integrity to the state.” 

Assemblywoman Shirley Horton, R-Chula Vista - “Tonight, Governor Schwarzenegger laid out the structure for the Legislature’s work in the coming year. It is an ambitious agenda, and the people of California can expect a variety of issues and concerns to be addressed. I look forward to working with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to improve the quality of life for all Californians.” 

Assemblyman Guy S. Houston, R-San Ramon - “The governor stressed bipartisanship, which is something we all can agree with. We won’t be able to depend upon a revenue windfall like last year, so we have to prioritize to balance the interests of education, transportation, health care and water policy in California .” 

Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries, R-Lake Elsinore - “It is great to see the governor taking some active steps to bring spending in line with revenues. However, I fear that most of these cost-saving measures will be DOA once they hit the Democrat-controlled Legislature.” 

Assemblyman Rick Keene, R-Chico - "I am very encouraged that there is a continued commitment to improve our water infrastructure system this year. Our overall fiscal situation still concerns me. We must keep our eyes on the ball and work to bring our fiscal house into order. To get there we must rein in spending, eliminate our deficit and build up a rainy day fund.” 

Assemblyman Doug LaMalfa, R-Richvale - “I am very pleased to hear the governor is continuing the fight for much-needed water storage.  California has not built any new surface water storage since 1974, and now we are coming to a crisis due to lack of water and flood protection. Governor Schwarzenegger understands that we cannot continue to live off of the investments of past generations. I look forward to working with him to accomplish this goal.” 

Assemblyman Bill Maze, R-Visalia - "Governor Schwarzenegger’s State of the State proposals seemed to be encouraging when introduced, but we need to be concerned with the finalized versions and the potential for an ongoing structural deficit.” 

Assemblyman Alan Nakanishi, R-Lodi - “More surface water storage and higher Medi-Cal reimbursement rates are long overdue. I am glad that Governor Schwarzenegger is making them a priority. He has shown great leadership by tackling the biggest issues facing California , and not just sitting back and waiting for a crisis.” 

Assemblyman Roger Niello, R-Fair Oaks - “As he has in the past, the governor laid out an ambitious plan for 2007. I look forward to a truly collaborative effort to address the many important issues that face California .” 

Assemblywoman Sharon Runner, R-Lancaster - “It is now more important than ever to address the major issues that are facing California . Our health care system needs major reforms, the first priority of which should be providing better access and affordability to citizens, not illegals. Protecting the safety of Californians should remain the central focal point of the discussion regarding prison reform, and early release of convicted criminals is not a part of that discussion. Continuing to rebuild California through investment in surface water storage is a critical step in keeping pace with the ever-growing demand on our infrastructure. As we move forward on these issues, staying focused on the tax-paying citizens we represent should be a top priority, and presenting a balanced budget will be the most important step we can take. I look forward to a thoughtful debate on the issues while keeping in mind the priorities of California ’s tax-paying citizens.” 

Assemblyman Jim Silva, R-Huntington Beach - "My colleagues and I are ready to work with the Democrats and the governor to find necessary solutions to the state’s budget, water storage and infrastructure woes. In searching for solutions, it is extremely important that the state restrict spending and that we consider the effects any solution may have on the state’s economy.” 

Assemblyman Cameron Smyth, R-Santa Clarita - “I commend the governor for his continued commitment to putting the interests of the people ahead of partisan politics in order to boldly address California ’s most pressing issues. There is no doubt that we need to take action to ensure that health care is affordable and accessible, that our system of redistricting is fair for voters, and that the problems in our prison system are resolved. I eagerly anticipate the governor’s plan to fund these reforms given our current $5.5 billion deficit.” 

Assemblyman Todd Spitzer, R-Orange - "It is important that our state put its fiscal house in order while still providing the vital public safety services that are crucial to our state’s security.” 

 

 

 

 

 

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