Assemblymember Olsen Supports Roadmap for No Tax Increase Budget

Assemblymember Kristin Olsen, R-Modesto, joined with her Assembly Republican colleagues to unveil a "Roadmap for a No Tax Increase Budget," which will help the state close its remaining $15.4 billion budget deficit, fully fund the constitutional guarantee for education and protect local law enforcement - without raising taxes.
"As a mother of three young children, it is very important to me to make sure that all children receive a good education," said Olsen.  "This proposal shows that we can fully fund education without raising taxes on families or small businesses.  It also protects other essential priorities such as higher education and law enforcement, and resolves our current deficit."
The budget approach outlined today represents the common-sense solutions that Olsen believes can be embraced by Democrats and Republicans alike in enacting a reasonable no-tax budget compromise.  It does not ask Californians to pay a $55 billion tax increase to fuel unsustainable government programs and a 31 percent increase in state spending over 3 years.  Instead it asks the Governor and Legislature to enact specific and detailed ideas to balance the budget with no new taxes.
The budget roadmap reflects most of Olsen's priorities, such as:

•   Protecting K-12 education by using $2.5 billion in unanticipated tax receipts,
•   Investing in our UC's, CSU's and community colleges,
•   Preserving public safety by funding law enforcement,
•   Reducing the cost of delivering services by introducing competition, and
•   Asking state employees to do their part to help balance the budget.

Olsen called the budget roadmap a good first step towards helping California to live within its means.  She said that budgets are a reflection of priorities, and that the roadmap proves that we can protect those priorities without higher taxes.  The reforms in the roadmap will save billions in taxpayer dollars while protecting local students, teachers and public safety personnel.
"Before being elected to the legislature, I worked in the California State University system, so I know how crucial it is to maintain access to opportunity for our students," said Olsen.  "I oppose further cuts to education and our budget roadmap provides real ideas to maintain funding without higher taxes.  Our roadmap is only the beginning, and I will continue to work on reforms to create jobs and reduce overspending that will address the state's budget problems."

GOP Proposal Fully Funds Education and Law Enforcement without Tax Hikes