FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                 

May 13, 2016

Contact: Gregg Fishman, Communications Coordinator
916-327-7500, ext. 516
916-342-9508 mobile

SACRAMENTO – CSAC Executive Director Matt Cate issued the following reaction to the Governor’s May Budget Revision.

Given the volatile nature of state revenue and the duration of the current economic recovery, we understand the Governor’s continued emphasis on fiscal prudence. California counties agree that, as the Governor said, managing budgets is “like riding a tiger.” The Governor is striking a difficult balance between current needs and preparing for the inevitable economic downturn.

We applaud the Governor for making housing and programs for the homeless a priority. These are complex issues and there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution, but we have to find ways to provide people with homes, training, treatment and other services to get them off the streets. As always, California counties plan to work closely with the Governor and the Legislature to maximize this effort.

California counties are extremely pleased that the Governor recognizes tree mortality as a significant risk to people, infrastructure and the environment. There are more than 29 million dead trees in our forests, and more are dying due to drought and bark beetles. The Governor proposed spending $150 million in cap-and-trade funds on forest health and tree mortality in his January budget. The May Revision contains an additional $11 million that will help remove trees in the most impacted communities, and makes $30 million more available in disaster assistance grants, which could be used to assist counties with tree mortality.

In addition, we are pleased to see that the Governor has continued to place a high priority on transportation funding. Local streets, roads and bridges are in dismal condition—as are many state highways. The May Revision continues to reflect the Governor’s January transportation funding and reform proposal which will generate $36 billion over the next ten years to help make critical repairs to our infrastructure. We look forward to working with the Governor and the Legislature on legislation that includes new spending on roads, coupled with accountability, streamlining and reforms.

The California State Association of Counties (CSAC) serves as the effective advocate and unified voice of California’s 58 counties.

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