Reforms in Letter to Governor Brown
SACRAMENTO – In response to his call for ideas to cut wasteful state spending, Assemblymember Kristin Olsen, R-Modesto, today sent a letter to Governor Brown urging him to consider five government reform proposals suggested by the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office that would save the state more than $1 billion.
Last month, Governor Brown sent a letter to the State Auditor’s Office and the Little Hoover Commission calling for “the best ideas to cut government waste and increase efficiency.” He requested the recommendations by this Friday.
The text of Assembly Member Olsen’s letter to Governor Brown is below:
March 3, 2011
The Honorable Jerry Brown
Governor of California
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Governor Brown,
As the people’s representatives, Democrats and Republicans share a common goal – producing an efficient and effective state government that serves the people of the Central Valley and all of California.
I read with great interest your recent letters to the State Auditor and the Little Hoover Commission asking for ways we can immediately reduce government waste and boost efficiency. Like you, I believe we must take advantage of any opportunity that presents itself to save money for taxpayers and I look forward to reviewing their suggestions.
In addition to their responses expected this Friday, I wanted to draw your attention to a number of suggestions already made by the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office that could result in substantial savings and a more effective state government, without severely disrupting services to Californians in need . These commonsense suggestions include:
1. Allowing California community colleges and local school districts to save money by more frequently bidding on the open market for non-instructional services.
2. Implementing electronic court reporting in trial courts.
3. Changing the kindergarten enrollment entry date back to Sept. 1, beginning the 2011-12 school year, and requiring a child to have reached the age of five prior to entering kindergarten.
4. Increasing the average teaching load for University of California faculty by one additional course every three years.
5. Eliminating existing restrictions on using contract court interpreters.
In these tough times, making these changes can go a long way toward improving the state’s fiscal situation. Certainly, these actions alone will not solve the budget deficit, but these changes are achievable and available, and will net over $1 billion in budget savings.
Whether facing a budget surplus or a massive deficit, elected officials and policymakers in Sacramento must never forget our responsibility to spend the people’s money wisely. Especially at a time when vital programs relied upon by many Californians are on the budget chopping block, we must work together to eliminate wasteful and inefficient state spending wherever it exists.
Californians deserve quick action to make our state operate more cost-effectively. I ask that you join me in supporting these changes that will help preserve essential services during these difficult economic times.
Sincerely,
/s/
Kristin Olsen
California State Assemblymember, 25th District
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