|
California has had fiscal troubles since 2002 when the “dot.com” boom went bust. This year we are facing a $14 billion budget deficit. On Jan. 10, the Governor released his budget proposal and officially declared a fiscal emergency.
As the debate about budget reductions moves forward, I believe we need to demonstrate prudent oversight of the public’s money. That’s why I am asking that my own operating budget be reduced by 10 percent. If we ask other parts of government to reduce expenses, if we ask constituents to bear cuts, then the Legislature should set an example by sharing in the budget pain.
I am also forming a working group on cost savings. I want to lead the effort to find government waste and to increase efficiencies in government spending. For example, last year Governor Schwarzenegger signed my legislation, Assembly Bill 381, aimed at reducing fraudulent Medi-Cal claims, and eliminating identity theft. It is estimated that California taxpayers are robbed of up to $2.8 billion a year by Medi-Cal fraud. False claims get turned in….not by the poor, sick or elderly…but by fake providers who use stolen Social Security numbers. My bill establishes a computerized system so that the use of Social Security numbers for Medi-Cal, and phony claims, will be eliminated.
My working group on cost savings will work with the Joint Legislative Audit Committee to review all of the recent Bureau of State Audits reports to identify savings. Second, we will invite whistleblowers in state service to come forward with savings in their agencies.
I am certainly not suggesting that we’ll find enough in savings to remedy the structural deficit. But this is a piece of the puzzle. We didn’t get here overnight; we got here a little bit at a time. Budgets are like our own garages – if we keep filling them up with stuff and we don’t do a “spring cleaning” once in a while, pretty soon we don’t know what’s in there anymore.
Perhaps as important is a shift in the tone of the budget debate from where Democrats and Republicans disagree to a shared principle. “Savings” is something we all agree on.
The San Joaquin Valley is always hit harder by budget cuts than most of the state because our wages are lower, and our unemployment rate is higher. We will be faced with difficult budget decisions, but we must ensure that we protect our most vulnerable citizens, provide for public safety, and do no harm to our economic base of agriculture and food production.
We are now considering proposals for the 2008 legislative session. I pledge to you that I will continue to explore legislative remedies for saving our valuable tax dollars, and streamlining government services. The challenges ahead are difficult. But I am confident that we will bring our budget into balance and move forward to reshape California’s future into one of hope, confidence and renewed prosperity.
Assemblymember Cathleen Galgiani represents California’s 17th Assembly District.
Written by Jack Mobley-Rep Candidate for, on 14-04-2008 09:41
Jeff Denham courageously did not vote for the latest budget which has proven to be at least 16 billion dollars out of balance. Assemblywoman Galgiani, whose party is behind the ridiculous plan to recall Senator Denham, voted for that budget. I do not understand her advocating for another committee to deal with cost savings. We already have a legislature with numerous committees and agencies whose job it is to spend the tax payers money wisely. If our budget is like a garage where useless items have been placed let me ask who put those useless items in our budget and why? If they are useless now they were useless then. Who has had control of the budget in the past and has gotten us to where we are? The liberals in the state legislature are the ones who have brought us to this point and now their solution is to raise taxes not cut spending. We need people in Sacramento who have the practical every day experience of running businesses and know how to balance their budgets. Our representatives need to have the foresight to understand that the good times don't go on forever and will wisely plan for the future. If Assemblywoman Galgiani is interested in a balanced budget and fiscal responsiblity, I wonder why she has not come out publically in support of Jeff Denham and against his recall? |
|
- Please keep the topic of messages relevant to the subject of the article.
- Please increase the credibility of your post by including your full name and city when commenting.
- Although we are under no obligation to do so, we reserve the right to remove any comments we deem to be defamatory, libelous or otherwise inappropriate.
|
|
Opinion 
Comments (1)
