On January 7, Governor Brown released his 2016-2017 budget proposal. Although it comes amid surging tax revenues and a rebounding state economy, the Governor continued to press for fiscal discipline. You can read a complete summary by our lobby firm, Sloat Higgins Jensen, here.
CHC released the following statement on Governor Jerry Brown’s proposal:
“Last year, Governor Brown vetoed AB 35, a bill to provide tax credits to build much-needed affordable housing for working families in California, saying tax credits should be taken up during budget discussions. But when the Governor was asked about housing at this morning’s press conference, he said the budget ‘is not a candy store.'”
“Investing in housing for our state’s working families is not “candy.” It is essential to the health, education and economic potential of our state. If working people can’t afford to live here, the amenities and inclusive spirit that make California so desirable could start to disappear. If we cannot address this vital issue during a time of surplus, we ensure future surpluses will disappear.
“State investment in affordable housing has plummeted – primarily due to the elimination of redevelopment agencies in Brown’s first term, and the expiration of state bonds that leveraged federal dollars and drew billions in job-creating private investment to the state.
“Senate leader Kevin de León recognized the urgency of this situation when he proposed $2 billion this week to house the homeless. Both houses of the legislature have called for significant, immediate investment to jumpstart building affordable homes and leverage federal money we’re currently leaving on the table. The California Housing Consortium looks forward to working with Gov. Brown and lawmakers to ensure the budget reflects the significant impact affordable housing has on the economy.”
Additional responses, including ours, is available in the Sacramento Bee’s round-up.
