California State Assembly Democratic Caucus

11/20/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/20/2024 13:11

Speaker Robert Rivas urges fiscal restraint in response to LAO budget forecast

For immediate release:
Wednesday, November 20, 2024

On Wednesday, Speaker of the Assembly Robert Rivas and Assembly Budget Chairman Jesse Gabriel issued the following statements in response to the Legislative Analyst Office's budget forecast.

Speaker Robert Rivas

"We need to show restraint with this year's budget, because California must be prepared for any challenges, including ones from Washington. It's not a moment for expanding programs, but for protecting and preserving services that truly benefit all Californians."

Budget Chair Jesse Gabriel

"The latest fiscal outlook underscores the need for a cautious, thoughtful, and prudent approach to our state budget. At the same time, we must be prepared for uncertainty and challenges with a new federal Administration. The Assembly Budget Committee looks forward to crafting a budget that protects core programs, prioritizes accountability, safeguards California values, and focuses on the most important issues facing working families."

Next Steps

Speaker Rivas and Chair Gabriel plan to convene fellow Democratic Assembly members in the new year to discuss the needs of working-class Californians and explore budget priorities. These meetings will take place immediately after the Governor delivers his budget priorities in early January.

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