Harkey Responds to Governor Brown’s State of The State Address

Assemblywoman Diane Harkey (R-Dana Point) responded today to Gov. Jerry Brown’s State of the State address by saying she is encouraged by his commitment to work with the Legislature on critical issues, but is equally concerned that the Governor’s support for spending and investing with taxpayer dollars that we don’t have, moves the state in the wrong direction.

“The speech was vintage Jerry, filled with humor and witticisms but with the same mantra, invest, spend and tax, at a time when millions are out of work and the state will be facing trigger cuts and deficits for years to come. Growing state government and adding to our debt to do so, is not the way to reduce California’s mountain of debt or increase employment.” 

“This is not the 1960s, when we had the ability to designate specific funding sources to build water and freeway infrastructure. We are broke and for the Governor to insist on dreaming big by spending untold billions on a high speed rail network, in a location where there is no ridership, or potential for continued funding, just does not fit with reality. And right now our citizens are dealing with financial reality and we should be too.

“If job creation and debt reduction truly are priorities, the Legislature would be wise to rethink the project and use existing funding to maintain and repair existing infrastructure,” Harkey added.

Assemblywoman Harkey represents the 73rd Assembly District in the California Legislature, which includes the communities of Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Oceanside, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano.