Governor-Elect Convenes Forum on Budget

Governor-elect Jerry Brown joined 400 lawmakers, local leaders and finance officials today at a forum exploring the facts underlying the state’s budget crisis.

The session included briefings by the State Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor and others on factors contributing to the problem.

Representatives of local government, including counties, urged Brown to include local representation in any discussion of realigning services currently provided by the state.

Brown pledged to engage local leaders, and said he will explore any and all actions to “bring government decisions closer to the people.”

Though the state faces a dire fiscal situation, Brown said he was optimistic that solutions could be found.

“We are a rich state. We have a lot of resources, great companies and lots of creativity,” Brown said. “If we all give a little, maybe a lot, I think we can pull it off. I think we can join hands together to get California back on track.”

A webcast of the forum can be viewed here.