For Immediate Release Friday, January 8, 2010

Contact: Claire Conlon, Executive Director, 916-595-3090, cconlon@youngdems.org

California Young Democrats React to Governor’s Proposed Budget

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger delivered his proposed 2010-2011 budget today, and sent a clear message that he is willing to shred the social safety net and eliminate many of California’s most vital services. Facing the worst cuts are Medi-Cal, CalWORKs, transportation funding, and salaries for our state workers—who provide the vital services we need to run our state.

“If passed, this budget would hurt young workers and their families across California,” said Alissa Ko, President of the California Young Democrats. “The Governor has decided that he would rather cut state worker’s wages, deny health care to low income families, and raid public transportation funds than responsibly raise the revenues needed to fill the budget deficit.”

The proposed budget would increase funding for higher education, which students have advocated strongly for. “Although we are glad that the Governor is finally making higher education a priority, we can’t forget that he created the problem to begin with,” said Ian Magruder, President of the California College Democrats. “We need to roll back last year’s cuts and made higher education affordable again.”

While the Governor claims we have to take from either a poor child or a sick child, we do have a third option: raising revenues. Though he himself admits his cuts are “draconian’” he is unwilling to even consider the alternatives. Instead he is turning his back on the most vulnerable Californians when they need help the most.

###

The California Young Democrats (CYD) is the official youth arm of the California Democratic Party, comprised of progressive people ages 14-35. The California Young Democrats are committed to creating a bloc of young voters who will elect Democrats for an entire generation. Using proven peer to Peer campaign methods, Young Democrats have made significant differences in races all over California. Young Democrats in California work everyday to promote social justice, women’s rights, peace and stability in the world, and many other progressive values.

The California College Democrats (CCD) is the official College student arm of the California Democratic Party, comprised of progressive students.

The California High School Democrats (CAHSD) is the official High School student arm of the California Democratic Party, comprised of progressive students.