Assemblyman Jay OBERNOLTE
Wants You To Know
Monday, June 15, 2020, the California
Legislature fulfilled its constitutional duty to pass our annual state budget. In this budget, the Legislature closes a $54
billion deficit using a combination of budget deferrals, billions in borrowing,
a $4.4 billion tax increase on businesses, and depletion of most of our
reserves.
While we were able
to protect vital services this year, unfortunately these budget gimmicks
merely defer difficult decisions about reducing state spending and will
only create larger budget deficits in the future.
However, I
wholeheartedly approve of the Legislature’s resolve to stand-up to the
Governor’s continued overreach in exercising executive power. This budget
reasserts our constitutional authority to provide fiscal oversight of state
spending. As a coequal branch of government, we have an obligation to ensure
that every taxpayer dollar is spent wisely and appropriately.
Most importantly, I
am elated that the Legislature has rejected the Governor’s proposal to close
the Barstow Veterans Home. This budget also includes a guarantee that
not a single veteran in this home may ever be involuntarily displaced.
Keeping this vital
facility open is a huge victory for our Veterans, their Families, and our Communities.
It is an honor to represent you,
Assemblyman Jay Obernolte represents the 33rd Assembly
District, which includes the San Bernardino County communities of Adelanto,
Apple Valley, Baker, Barstow, Big Bear City, Big Bear Lake, Big River,
Crestline, Fort Irwin, Hesperia, Johnson Valley, Lake Arrowhead,
Lenwood,
Lucerne Valley, Needles, Oak Hills, Phelan, Running Springs, Silver Lakes,
Trona, Twentynine Palms Base, Twin Peaks and Victorville.