Milpitas, CA (January 12) -- While the Governor's budget "... shows much progress in putting California's deficit under control", there is one area that needs to be funded appropriately: the courts.
This is the reaction of Assemblymember Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont, who also represents Milpitas and adjoining cities), in connection with California Governor Jerry Brown's 2013 - 2014 budget proposal.
"If there's one branch of government that needs more funding, it is the judicial system", Wieckowski stressed.
In a press statement, he said, "... his budget proposal (referring to Gov. Brown's budget proposal for 2013 - 2014), ... underfunds our courts by roughly $200 million by relying on transfers. As the third branch of government, our judicial system is part of the hallmark of democracy and should be funded appropriately".
Court funding, according to Wieckowski, is crucial and must be appropriately considered.
He further commented that, "The public's access to justice must be sustained. When we reduce courthouse hours, it negatively impacts the people's ability to take care of their disputes in a timely way".
As a whole, however, Wieckowski thinks that the governor's budget proposal is balanced. "I supported the balanced approach of reducing spending and passing Prop. 30 that has decreased our deficit. Just two years ago, we were facing a $25 billion shortfall. Now, although we are not out of the woods yet, our fiscal condition is in much greater shape", Wieckowski said.
The governor's budget shows much progress has been made in getting California's deficit under control, the Assemblyman from Fremont concluded.
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