Assemblyman Jim Nielsen (R-Gerber) made the following comments following Friday's Assembly Budget Committee hearing. 

"Today's action is a start towards resolving our $26 billion budget deficit," commented Nielsen.  "This budget proposal is long on taxes and short of long-term changes that will ensure enduring budget stability.  Our goal must be to rein in the excessive growth of government, and ensure budget prudence and accountability.  The result would be a lesser, more citizen-friendly government and a growing California economy."

"It is critical that the Budget Conference Committee put meat on the bones of these all too vague budget proposals and concepts, such as realignment.  Assembly Republicans pledge to work with our Democratic colleagues to achieve these goals, and get California back on solid fiscal ground."