Assemblyman Curt Hagman Believes Legislature Should Prioritize Education, Not Increase Frivolous Spending
 

 

Sacramento—Today, Assemblyman Curt Hagman, R–Chino Hills, responded to the release of Governor Brown’s budget proposal for the 2013-14 fiscal year, saying that he agreed with the Governor’s call for spending restraint. Assemblyman Hagman said that lawmakers and the Governor should focus on providing adequate funding for California’s schools and colleges, keeping communities safe, and getting the economy back on track.

 

Assemblyman Hagman noted that although the state’s projected budget deficit is smaller than in recent years, the Legislature still has serious issues to sort out, including renewing support for public education and encouraging private sector job growth. Assemblyman Hagman cautioned that an optimistic budget outlook is not a signal to increase spending and that majority party leaders in the Senate and Assembly should heed the Governor’s advice to exercise restraint this coming year.

 

Assemblyman Hagman said that one of his most important budget priorities is ensuring that the Legislature upholds its promise to voters by making education funding an important priority. Assemblyman Hagman has co-authored Assembly Bill 67 (Gorell), which will provide a seven-year tuition freeze at the state’s public colleges and universities while the Proposition 30 taxes are in effect, and use this money to increase higher education funding.

 

 “I hope to be provided the opportunity to work with the Governor and Democrats to craft responsible solutions and be a part of the budget process,” said Assemblyman Hagman. “Although general fund spending has dropped, overall state spending has increased $68 billion over the last decade. I agree with the Governor that California’s K-12 and college students should be the state’s top funding priority, but we need to be open and transparent when conducting the budget process, focus on curtailing spending growth in costly programs we cannot afford, and enact pro-jobs reforms that will help grow the economy and get people working again.”