California loses its luster

Governor Jerry Brown is fulfilling his promise: confronting Californians with the reality of a budget that right now not only can’t address our current needs but even less what will be needed in the future.

During his recent mid-year review of the state budget, Brown warned that the expense plan deficit is almost twice what had been expected, due to the state’s slow economic recovery and decreased tax revenues.

The deficit is now $15.7 billion instead of $9.2 billion. Brown is proposing even more cuts in K-12 education, higher education, and social services and health benefits for the state’s most vulnerable population. As an alternative to prevent the worst cuts, Brown has offered an initiative to increase income taxes for those earning more than $250,000 per year and raise the sales tax by one-quarter cent.

California must face its budget reality, but making more cuts to education and basic services for the most vulnerable would be disastrous for the state, not just in the social realm but when it comes to the future economic development of the once Golden State.

As can be expected, many of these cuts will seriously impact the Latino population. Not only does this population account for a higher percentage of school students, but is also the youngest and fastest-growing group, as well as one of the most vulnerable populations because of a lack of health insurance and high poverty levels.

Beyond the effect on vulnerable populations, we must highlight the impact on the future of the state-the entire state, including everyone who lives here.

In large measure, the prosperity that turned California into a powerhouse during the second half of the 20th century came from the investments in education made back then, investments that now are being neglected. Disinvesting in education will have long-term consequences for California’s economy, which will need at least 1 million new graduates to drive the economic recovery.

It’s clear that the governor is offering a draconian vision of what awaits us, to make us react and support tax collection measures. But we are also convinced he will make the cuts if we do not support him. California can’t afford to constrain its future.