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Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Tuesday, Jun. 30, 2009

State legislators work hard

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Regarding "State budget? No; Blueberry panel, fruit juice debate" (June 12, Page B-6): As a legislator, my job is to find creative solutions to complex problems that benefit our great state. Our focus as a body is to balance the budget and protect our most vulnerable residents from draconian cuts, yet we also have a responsibility to protect our collective constituents and interests.

My colleagues are some of the hardest working people I know. With California facing a $24 billion deficit, tackling the budget crisis is our number one priority. Yet as the author of Assembly Bill 606, I'm proud to stand with my state's agricultural industry to find creative non-general fund solutions to stimulate the economy, to harness an ever-increasing demand to benefit the farmers in our state.

While this budget crisis is severe, I also cannot forget that there are a host of real issues that impact real people. The single parent who is balancing work and raising a child still cares about the safety of the food their child eats, the park they play in, and the affordability of their education.

We have a responsibility to fix this budget crisis now. And at the same time, legislate priorities that positively impact Californians.

FIONA MA
Assemblywoman, District 12, and majority whip
Sacramento