Assemblyman Cameron Smyth issued the following statement today after the Legislative Analyst released a report forecasting a $21 billion budget deficit:

“The fiscal forecast from the Legislative Analyst is incredibly frustrating, but it proves what many of us have said for years – California’s budgetary house of cards is collapsing.

“Just nine months ago the Legislature passed the largest tax increase in history, yet here we are, staring down a $21 billion deficit.  Today’s report only strengthens the argument that California has a spending problem, not a revenue problem.  The legislative majority wanted a tax increase last year, and that’s what they got.  It’s clear, however, that more revenue did nothing to solve the problem.

“There is absolutely zero support for another tax increase within our caucus.  This deficit will not be solved on the backs of California taxpayers.  Now is the time for the Legislature to seriously prioritize the areas in which we spend our money.  We cannot afford to continue throwing money away into huge bureaucracies that provide little in the way of results or accountability.  While these steps needed to be taken years ago, the majority of legislators don’t want to make tough or unpopular decisions, opting instead for short term fixes that only delay the inevitable.  Now there is no choice but to take meaningful action.”