Rally at the Capitol: Don’t Let California Go Up in Smoke!

A rally organized by The Families First Coalition took place at the state capitol July 15, 2009. Led by Art Pulaski of the California Labor Federation, the mantra “Don’t Let California Go Up in Smoke!” was loudly chanted on the south steps by a gathering of about 100 protesters.  Attended by a wide array of constituents: educators, students, health care professionals, and the disabled-- so many with a stake in the outcome of the budget, this was a last ditch effort to influence budget negotiations.

The rally was attended by many speakers including Senators Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), and Mark DeSaulnier(D-Concord), who both aggressively opposed cuts to health services and education. Senator DeSaulnier shouted into the mike, “Don’t balance the budget on those that can afford it the least”, a sentiment repeated throughout the rally.

Assemblyman Alberto Torrico (D-Fremont) raised hoots and howls from the crowd with his speech saying, “The governor hasn’t asked corporations to do anything and he hasn’t asked millionaires for any sacrifice… we’re asking working class families, children and disabled to carry too much of a load.”

With the state still facing a 26.3 billion dollar deficit, talks resumed on Thursday July 16 centering on the governor’s proposed cuts to health and human services as well as Proposition 98, which established minimum funding for k-12 schools and community colleges.

At the rally, Assemblywoman Noreen Evans, D-Santa Rosa, the budget chairwoman, criticized the governor and encouraged “compassion, not contempt for the most vulnerable,” while saying that “Investing in people is not waste, fraud and abuse.”

Whatever the outcome of the budget, it is guaranteed to add to the health care challenges of all Californians.