Statement of Courtni Pugh, Executive Director, SEIU California State Council:

"The Governor's top New Year's resolution should be to protect the people of California in this period of economic turbulence, and his budget fails to do that.

"After $16 billion in cuts over the past three years and in the midst of the worst economic conditions since the Great Depression, the Governor would cut the bottom rungs off the rescue ladder that more and more Californians need by slashing kids' health care and the meager stipends seniors and people with disabilities depend on for rent and food. And as California families face more uncertainty about the future, the Governor proposes to diminish our children's future with even more cuts to our classrooms.

"It's time for the Governor to acknowledge simple economics and basic common sense:  more cuts mean more layoffs, fewer dollars in people's pockets, and a longer recession.   Our state needs new, permanent revenues to protect our families and invest in our children, not more of the same cuts and borrowing.

"On behalf of home care workers, school employees and other hard working Californians, a final piece of New Year's advice for the Governor: His list of New Year's resolutions should also include taking a real leadership role in securing substantial federal economic stimulus revenue, which this budget essentially takes a pass on, and learning to lead his own party to engage in good faith negotiations this year."

Over 700,000 Californians make up SEIU in California. Throughout the state, in all 58 counties, SEIU represents social workers, nurses, classroom aides, security officers, college professors, home care workers, janitors, and more.