Perata Senda Letter to Gov.

With California facing cuts from the federal budget, Senate leader Don Perata just sent off a letter to Gov. Schwarzenegger urging a united California front to beat back cuts. Here are some excerpts: Dear Governor Schwarzenegger: Even though so much time and energy from all sides is being focused on the final days of the special election, there is an immediate concern that requires us to reach out and work together for the sake of California. Right now thousands of California women and their families are facing drastic and unconscionable cuts in a package assembled in Congress by the House Budget Committee. These cuts will likely be voted on next week and will cost California billions of dollars at a time when we simply can’t afford more hits. Among other things, the package reduces federal funds that aid our efforts to identify child support obligations and collect child support payments. Collecting child support is an important tool to help families stay off of more expensive government assistance programs. California stands to lose well over $3 billion of these funds over ten years if the proposed cuts go through.... This is the kind of issue we should be focusing on, and focusing on together. I am contacting my Democratic colleagues in the congressional delegation to share these concerns; I assume you are making similar contact with Republican members. A phone call from you to Bill Thomas of Bakersfield, the Chair of the Committee on Ways and Means, could aid in getting him to change course for the good of our state. I hope we can also present a united front to encourage business leaders, community groups and others to oppose these cuts.... Sincerely, Don Perata