Sacramento, CA – Assemblymember Juan Alanis released the following statement in response to the Governor’s budget announcement:
“Central Valley residents and communities across California sent a clear message last year by passing Proposition 36: they want safer neighborhoods and accountability for criminals. Every county in the state voted in favor of this initiative.
However, after listening to the Governor’s press conference, I was left asking: where is the funding for public safety? If the Governor truly believes in addressing the root causes of addiction and crime, why not prioritize funding for treatment programs?
Prop. 36 passed with an overwhelming mandate from voters, and Governor Newsom should respect their decision by ensuring funding for the critical programs they endorsed. To withhold these funds would be unacceptable.
I am further concerned about the lack of water storage, land management, wildfire prevention and adequate funding for firefighting efforts across our state. While our focus needs to be on containing and extinguishing the fires in Los Angeles, I will be asking questions regarding how much priority is being placed on protecting the public in this year’s budget.”
Assemblymember Juan Alanis represents the 22nd Assembly District, which includes the communities of Modesto, Turlock, Ceres, Denair, Patterson, Gustine, Newman, Hilmar, Ballico, Snelling, Keyes, Grayson, Crows Landing, Diablo Grande, Stevinson, & Empire.