12/19/2008 GAAS:839:08 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version |
Governor Schwarzenegger Highlights Job Loss, Economic Ramifications of Legislature’s Failure to Pass a Real and Comprehensive Budget Solution
At University High School in Fresno, Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger today highlighted the job loss and other economic ramifications
of the legislature's failure to pass a real and comprehensive budget solution.
The legislature's inaction caused the state Pooled Money Investment Board
(PMIB) to vote this week to stop $3.8 billion in state infrastructure financing
over the next six months - including the stoppage of an $18 million grant
recently allocated to build a permanent school for Fresno's award-winning
University High School, which has operated for ten years out of temporary
trailer facilities. Due to the legislature's continued failure to provide a
real and comprehensive budget solution, 2,000 infrastructure projects valued at
more than $16 billion are in jeopardy and tens of thousands of California jobs
are immediately at risk.
"Yesterday I was sent legislation that asked Californians
to pay higher taxes and fees - without making a real attempt to put
Californians back to work and help them keep their homes. Because of the
legislature's continued failure to pass a real budget solution for California's
budget crisis, funding for infrastructure projects like this school in Fresno
has been stopped. This not only impacts students but also halts job
creation and economic stimulus across the state," said Governor Schwarzenegger.
"Tens of thousands of hard-working Californians face the possibility of being
laid off this holiday season while Democrats and Republicans continue to play
politics. The time for political posturing is over - it's time for the state
legislature to solve problems instead of creating them."
Hailed by U.S. News and World Report this year as the 45th best public high school in the nation, the 10th best public charter
school in the nation and the 8th best public high school in
California - University High School in Fresno has used temporary building
structures (trailers) since its creation ten years ago. On December 10, 2008,
the State Allocation Board awarded the school an $18 million Proposition 55
grant to construct a permanent school for its students and faculty. Due
to the legislature's inability to resolve California's budget shortfall, this
money has been halted - and funding for 2,000 other projects across California
is in jeopardy. (For a list of all infrastructure projects that could
potentially be affected, please see below PDF file).
Yesterday Governor Schwarzenegger declared he would veto the
budget bills sent to him by the legislature because they fail to provide real
solutions for California's budget crisis and also fail to provide economic
stimulus and mortgage relief for California. On November 6, 2008, the Governor presented a budget
proposal to the legislature that would address all such issues.
