SACRAMENTO - Assembly Republican Leader Connie Conway, of Tulare, today issued the following statement in response to passage of the Democrat majority vote budget:

"Sacramento Democrats today earned their status as the real 'Party of No' in California. They enacted what rightfully should be called the 'No, No, No' Budget, as it contains no pro-jobs reforms, no pension reforms and no spending limit. Hard-working California taxpayers should be offended by the lack of respect shown by the majority party's blatant disregard for how they plan to spend the people's money.

"Despite the cheers today from our colleagues in the majority party, the budget we passed today is not balanced nor is it on time. We only voted on half of the spending measures that compose the full budget before the midnight deadline, and what was voted on relies upon gimmicks, borrowing and an ill-fated tax increase that is unlikely to pass. The worst is still before us in the coming days, including votes on the Democrat plan to fund the irresponsible public safety realignment scheme by shortchanging Central Valley law enforcement.

"The differences between Republicans and Democrats couldn't be clearer today. Republicans put forward a budget roadmap to protect our schools without raising taxes. The top priority for Democrats was protecting public employee union bosses by pushing higher taxes to grow government. Sadly, the real losers today are California taxpayers, who continue to be the target of the liberal majority in their unending quest to take more from people's wallets to spend on big government programs we can't afford."

To keep up to date with the latest on the State Budget debate, visit the California Budget Fact Check website at www.cabudgetfactcheck.com.