Assemblymember Mullin: An Update From the State Capitol
Sacramento – Assemblymember Kevin Mullin made the following remarks following the Governor’s State of the State Address to the Legislature.
“I appreciate the Governor’s cautious optimism and fiscally restrained approach to the budget. The economy is rebounding and in particular, I appreciate Brown mentioning biotechnology in the Bay Area as a particular bright spot,” said Assemblymember Mullin. “However, it is important to remember what has happened over the last few decades, the great recession wasn’t the first economic downturn and it won’t be the last, so we are going to need to pay down debt and continuously maintain a healthy reserve going into the future.”
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“One area that I would’ve liked to see more discussion was on redevelopment and affordable housing,” said Assemblymember Mullin. “In the Bay Area we are benefitting from substantial economic growth, but many are being left behind and the cost of living continues to rise. In the same vein as the concept of “subsidiarity,” we must give local governments strong economic development tools with proper safeguards. The infrastructure financing proposal in the budget proposal is not sufficient.”
“While, I am highly supportive of a fiscally restrained approach, I think we need to take care of our children and working families. The LCFF, increasing K-12 funding, and paying down the deferred payments to schools is absolutely the right thing to do, but we can do more. Legislative leaders are proposing to make transitional kindergarten universal for all 4 year olds and strengthen existing early care programs for 0-3 year olds. These expenditures are fiscally prudent because we know from experience in other states that these programs will increase high school graduation rates and reduce our prison population down the road. This is a long-term policy step that will have substantial return on investment for all Californians,” said Assemblymember Mullin.
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Kevin Mullin, a former City Councilmember and Mayor of South San Francisco, a local business owner, and former state legislative aide was elected in November 2012 to represent the 22nd Assembly District. He serves on Budget, Budget Subcommittee #4 on State Administration, the Business and Professions, Local Government, Public Employees, Retirement, and Social Security, and the Revenue and Taxation Committees. The district includes the cities of Belmont, Brisbane, Burlingame, Foster City, Hillsborough, Millbrae, Pacifica, Redwood City, San Bruno, San Carlos, San Mateo and portions of South San Francisco.
The shortened link below will take you to Kevin’s short video.