Letter From Assemblymember Monning

Dear Friends,

As the budget crisis continues to threaten the future of our state and the fabric of our communities, I am writing to offer a moment of reflection and to share my thanks for your efforts to help prioritize budget solutions in a manner that will protect and advance the values of the 27th Assembly District.

The outpouring of thousands of letters, faxes, emails and phone calls to my offices has been impressive and helpful.  I am also aware of the many individual and organizational appeals to the Governor and other members of the Legislature.

The Governor’s proposed elimination of Healthy Families, Cal Works, Cal Grants, HIV/AIDS treatment, dialysis treatment, senior day care, and family planning funding threatens health and safety while sacrificing federal matching funds.  Additionally, the Governor’s proposed deep funding reductions to education, the state parks and local government revenues further erode the programs and resources that have made California great. 

Unfortunately, the budget solutions offered by the Budget Conference Committee and the Legislature have been summarily rejected by the Governor.  At this juncture, it remains unclear how the budget deficit will be closed, but I can assure you that your voices and those of thousands of Californians have been heard.  I will continue to join the majority of my colleagues who are fighting to protect human life and to maintain federal matching funds while spreading the pain and necessary cuts as equitably as possible.

I also regret that the budget crisis has prevented me from spending more time in the district.  As we continue to navigate the current crisis, I remain resolute in my belief that the voices of Californians must continue to be registered with the Governor, the Legislature, and the media.  We face tough decisions with this budget and with the general state of our recessionary economy.  Working together we can shape the economic, political, and social reforms that will allow for the restructuring of California to restore and rebuild the institutions and programs that are vital to our collective health and future.

With warm regards,

Bill Monning