Statement by Assemblymember Olsen on Speaker’s Proposal to Fund the Commission on the Status of Women

SACRAMENTO – Today, Assemblymember Kristin Olsen, R-Modesto, issued the following statement in response to Speaker Perez’ announcement that the Assembly will fund the Commission on the Status of Women:

“I applaud the Speaker for his willingness to reallocate Assembly funding to other areas of the budget. However, at a time when teachers are receiving pink slips and we are releasing prisoners early, why would we use this money to fund the Commission on the Status of Women instead of a priority program? That is beyond comprehension.”

“Governor Brown was right when he proposed to eliminate the Commission on the Status of Women. The Legislature should be cutting non-essential boards and commissions, like this one, and using those dollars and any additional Assembly resources to fund the programs and services most needed by Californians.”

Background: Last week, the Assembly Business and Professions Committee voted against Assembly Bill 2330 (Olsen) which would have eliminated the Commission on the Status of Women and saved taxpayers approximately half a million dollars. Olsen is currently amending her bill to allow the Commission to remain in statute, but prohibit it from continuing to receive state funding.