May 31, 2007
The Honorable John Laird
Chair, Conference Committee on the Budget
California State Assembly
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0001
Re: 2007-2008 State Budget
Dear Assembly Member Laird:
The League of Women Voters of California voted unanimously on May 20,
2007 at its biennial convention to urge the Legislature and the Administration
to solve the ongoing structural budget deficit. According to the Legislative
Analyst, between $3 billion and $5 billion annually is needed to fill
this gap.
The League supports measures to ensure revenues both sufficient and
flexible enough to meet the changing needs for state and local government
services.
The time has come to make real choices about the services the state
provides and the funding that is needed, and to heed the importance
of establishing prudent reserves. We do not believe that this issue
will be effectively dealt with by further cuts borne by those most in
need, nor by one-time transfers that might address the problem in the
coming year alone, and especially not by early payment of the deficit
reduction debt.
The enclosed resolution was passed by the delegates to our convention,
representing the 68 Leagues throughout California.
We thank you for your consideration of our views on this important issue.
Sincerely,
/s/
Jacqueline Jacobberger
President
Attachment: LWVC
Resolution R-5-2007 on the State Budget Deficit