Skip to main content

Assembly Majority Floor Leader Chris Holden’s Statement on Governor Jerry Brown’s State of the State

Pasadena, CA – On Thursday, January 21, Governor Brown outlined his vision for maintaining California’s growing economy while preparing our state to lessen the impact of any potential global economic turmoil. Governor Brown prudently balances investments in the People of California with investments in our state’s Rainy Day Fund.

I applaud the Governor’s innovation and leadership in developing a comprehensive plan to reinvest in Medi-Cal for millions of hardworking California families. With the progress made on securing long-term Medi-Cal funding I am reintroducing my Tobacco Cessation legislation to help California’s neediest residents quit smoking and avoid a lifetime of health problems.

Thanks to Prop 30, K-12 schools are being funded at the highest levels in California history, in-state college tuition has remained flat, and California is once again investing in career technical education. Preserving these funds for future generations will be a top policy priority this year.

I also look forward to working with the Governor on securing a stable, long-term source of funds to fix California’s aging infrastructure. Our aging roads and bridges cost average Californians hundreds of dollars in unnecessary vehicle maintenance each year and further contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. It is critical that we work together to repair our roads, and develop an infrastructure to support our state’s economy in the 21st century.

The Governor has provided the Legislature a strong plan of action for 2016. I look forward to continuing our progress in building a strong and prosperous California.