Assemblyman Nielsen (R-Gerber), who currently serves as the Vice-Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, was named by Assembly Speaker John Perez this week to the Budget Conference Committee.  The 10-member committee consists of 5 Senators and 5 Assembly-members, who are tasked with reconciling the differences between the two Houses of the Legislature.  The committee convened and heard testimony from Mac Taylor, the non-partisan State Legislative Analyst, to discuss ways to close our $19 billion budget deficit.

"The Legislature, for too long, has resisted steps to reign in spending and reform California's budget process," stated Nielsen.  "Some think that California has a revenue problem and demand tax increases.  Nothing could be farther from the truth.  Tax increases only fund a broken budget system and continue overspending and the growth of government.  The government must focus on the economy and jobs - private sector jobs, not government jobs.  The best thing government can do for the economy right now is to get out of the way by reducing regulations."

"This committee is faced with an enormous challenge and we have some very tough choices to make over the next few weeks," concluded Nielsen.  "In the end, I am hopeful we can produce a budget that restores California's prosperity once again."