The California Nightmare: Guv gives State of Cutting Services speech

Just wrapped up witnessing another Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger State of the State Address and the mad rush of press interviews following. It is not quite like it was during Schwarzenegger's first State of the State with Access Hollywood, Inside Edition, and all the taploids and national news media, but still a media circus nonetheless.

Here is Senator Yee's statement:

"While I share the Governor’s concerns over the budget, I do not believe spending cuts should be made across the board. Not only is the concept ill-advised, it is unconstitutional.
Our families can not afford another hit to social and health services. Our children can not afford another hit to education. And our state can not afford to balance the budget on the backs of the most vulnerable.

If we have learned anything over the past few months, it is that the public is looking for innovative and inspirational leadership. Turning a blind eye and a deaf ear by making universal cuts is not that type of leadership.

I hope the Governor will reconsider the notion that taxes even for the rich are off the table. As we have done on a number of issues, including the environment and the state’s infrastructure, we need to shred partisan labels and instead focus on the pressing needs of California.

I am ready to roll up my sleeves to solve this budget crisis and work in a bipartisan fashion, but I will not support a budget where our children, elderly and the poor unfairly suffer, while the wealthy are not asked to share the burden.”