Santa Clarita representatives responded to the Governor’s proposed 2018-19 fiscal budget released on Wednesday, with several expressing concerns about the state’s financial priorities.

Governor Jerry Brown’s $190.3 billion spending plan for his final year in office, includes an estimated $4.6 billion in revenue from the controversial gas tax, according to the proposed budget.

“California has faced 10 recessions since World War II and we must prepare for the 11th,” Brown wrote in his budget message. “Yes, we have had some very good years and program spending has steadily increased. Let’s not blow it now.”

The proposal would set aside $5 billion for the state’s “rainy day fund” designed to weather out recessions in the state, $3.5 billion more than is required by law, according to officials.

“I thank Governor Brown for his commitment to building a strong budget reserve and will work with him to protect it from raids by legislative democrats,” said Senator Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita.

Wilk however, expressed concerns about the state’s priorities especially during times of surplus.

“The majority party in Sacramento continues to make impractical decisions on how the rest of us should live,” said Wilk. “They prioritize the so-called bullet train over building roads, they coddle criminals over protecting families, they over-regulate business at the expense of jobs and they have an insatiable appetite for more taxpayer dollars.”

The LAO has projected a $7.5 billion budget surplus providing Californians an opportunity to begin addressing our challenges, added Wilk

“I look forward to a robust discussion with my colleagues on the Senate Budget Committee as to how these additional taxpayer dollars can be used to bolster our rainy day fund, pay down debt, maximize education funding and grow our economy,” said the state senator.

Other local Santa Clarita elected officials share the same message of overspending on programs during a budget surplus.

“We must be careful to only use the surplus for one-time investments and not government programs that commit us to ongoing spending,” said Assemblyman Dante Acosta, R-Santa Clarita. “Sacramento needs to secure a safe future for Californians by investing in the rainy day reserve, improving infrastructure, and reducing our debt.

The plan would leave the state with a total of $13.5 billion in reserves that it could use if the economy takes a downturn, according to officials.

“It’s a smart move by the governor to boost the state’s rainy day fund, since as he warns, the threat of a recession still looms, and California is still very much vulnerable to boom-and-bust budgeting,” said George Runner, Board of Equalization vice president.

“However, since members of his own party are suddenly and surprisingly concerned about taxpayers, said Runner. “It would be great if the governor would use the budget process to work with Republicans to come up with ways to reduce the overall tax burden of California residents, which is very high.”

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