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Most Vulnerable At Risk Over Political Games By Majority Party
8/7/2007 By Senator Jeff Denham
Over the past week, much is being said and written as to whether I should be the next vote to help pass the state budget. I would agree that it is irresponsible for our state government not to pass a balanced budget on time, but I also believe that it is reprehensible and deplorable for the Democrats to adjourn the legislature for almost a month without passing any gap funding for California's critical programs.
As Democrat legislators continue to enjoy their vacation, Californians most vulnerable and many of our medical care providers are starting to have their lives negatively impacted. Without a state budget, hospitals, health clinics, summer programs, community colleges, and remediation programs risk being scaled down or completely eliminated.
As noted in one of our newspapers, "One of the most dramatic shortfalls was in Medi-Cal funds for 500 hospitals and 11,000 nursing homes, hospices and adult care centers serving 6.8 million often-frail seniors. Last week in July, Medi-Cal ran out of funds and could pay only $143 million of the $223 million it owed senior provider. This past week none of the $227 million owed such institutions was paid."
I offered legislation to appropriate upwards of $10 billion to the State Controller so that the services mentioned above don't go unpaid and jeopardize the health of our most needy Californians. The measure was rejected by the Democrat-controlled Senate. In 1998, the Legislature passed a similar $19 billion emergency appropriation at the end of July as a result of a budget impasse. It's interesting to see that seven of these legislators who voted yes on this measure in 1998, who are in the Senate today (Cedillo, Ducheny, Kuehl, Machado, Perata, Torlakson and Vincent), opposed this measure this time around.
I believe that both chambers of government should be required to stay in session until we reach agreement on the balanced budget. I am not willing to compromise my principals or be allowed to get bullied by the fringes of the far left, but nor should our state government be held hostage while the leadership of the Democrat-controlled Senate allows his Senators to go home, and as the Assembly Speaker continues his extended vacation trip in Europe.
What they are saying:
Californians Most Vulnerable At Risk Over Political Games By The Majority Party
"One of the most dramatic shortfalls was in Medi-Cal funds for 500 hospitals and 11,000 nursing homes, hospices and adult care centers serving 6.8 million often-frail seniors. Last week in July, Medi-Cal ran out of funds and could pay only $143 million of the $223 million it owned senior provider. This past week none of the $227 million owed such institutions was paid." ("Lack Of Budget Shows Lawmakers Are Irresponsible," Editorial - Hayward Daily Review, 8/6/07)
Government Adjourns For Almost A Month - Without Passing A Budget
"Its irresponsible to not pass a budget on time - and for the Assembly to adjourn for almost a month when the fiscal guidelines haven't been approved by both houses of the Legislature." ("Lack Of Budget Shows Lawmakers Are Irresponsible," Editorial - Hayward Daily Review, 8/6/07)
Get the facts on the budget situation:
Senate Republicans Offer Amendment To Fund Essential Government Service
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