SACRAMENTO, CA - State Senator Mike McGuire today praised much of the Governor's budget proposal today, especially for its strong action on one of the Senator’s highest priorities.

"I am thrilled that the Governor's budget included desperately needed funding for the Career Technology Education and Job Skills Programs along with funding for local Future Farmers of America chapters," said McGuire. "We have been working with the Governor's office and Superintendent Torlakson to ensure California's high school students get the career skills they need to thrive in their future careers."

McGuire has been working with local school districts, the Governor's finance team, State Superintendent Torlakson, California Manufacturers and local Farm Bureaus for the last month on securing the funding guaranteed for these vital career and job skill programs.  

McGuire believes that today's proposal is a good first step, but expressed some concern over the budget for State Parks, saying, "The funding request we received from the Governor this morning is far too low to cover the massive backlog of deferred maintenance in our State Parks.  It’s disappointing, but I look forward to working with the Governor and my colleagues to demonstrate the need to reinvest in our State Parks."

The Governor’s budget has proposed just $20 million to begin the process of repairing over $1.4 billion in deferred maintenance in our state parks.

McGuire also supported the Governor's move to assist some of California's neediest families through Medi Cal expansion, and the Governor's focus on tackling the state's significant pension liabilities.

The Senate Budget committee will begin hearings on the Governor's proposal on January 22nd.  

For more information or questions, please contact Jason Liles, Chief of Staff, at 916-651-4002 or at 707-570-7070 or email him at Jason.Liles@sen.ca.gov.