Gov. Jerry Brown defended California’s policies on immigration, climate change and health care in his State of the State address Tuesday. Here are some of Brown’s points on the key issues he discussed and responses from lawmakers:
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Gov. Jerry Brown, a Democrat:
“While no one knows what the new leaders will actually do, there are signs that are disturbing. … We must prepare for uncertain times and reaffirm the basic principles that have made California the great exception that it is.”
Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon, D-Los Angeles:
“The fact that they’re trying to undermine our progressive policies, we view as a direct threat to the economic prosperity of the people of California.”
Senate Minority Leader Jean Fuller, R-Bakersfield:
“I am hopeful that the governor’s address today opens the door to a more positive tone toward partnering with Washington.”
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WORKING WITH REPUBLICANS:
Brown:
“Democrats are in the majority, but Republicans represent real Californians, too. We went beyond party lines when we reformed workers’ compensation, when we created a rainy day fund and when we passed the water bond. Let’s do that again and set an example for the rest of the country.”
Assembly Republican Leader Chad Mayes, R-Yucca Valley:
“The governor rightfully said that there are Republicans in this state and their voice matters as well. There are people in this state that did vote for the president of the United States.”
Sen. Tony Mendoza, D-Artesia:
“Governor Brown has charged all of us to appreciate that true leadership lies in building bridges of all sorts, not breaking them down, in finding common ground and working for common goals, not fostering division.”
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IMMIGRATION
Brown:
“California has enacted several protective measures for the undocumented: the Trust Act, lawful driver’s licenses, basic employment rights and non-discriminatory access to higher education. We may be called upon to defend those laws and defend them we will.”
Attorney General Xavier Becerra, a Democrat:
“We’ll do everything we can, working with the federal government, which has jurisdiction over immigration enforcement, to make sure that the dangerous people who are in this country are not here. How do you define that? That’s the devil in the details. Is someone who has a broken tail light a criminal? I hope that’s not the definition the administration in Washington, D.C., will use.”
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HEALTH CARE
Brown:
“More than any other state, California embraced the Affordable Care Act and over five million people now enjoy its benefits. But that coverage has come with tens of billions of federal dollars. Were any of that to be taken away, our state budget would be directly affected, possibly devastated.”
Assemblyman Randy Voepel, R-Santee:
“The ACA has forced people to switch their doctors, has increased premiums, and has been riddled with broken promises. While I agree with our governor that it’s important to ensure our citizens have proper healthcare, the ACA has proven itself to be an ineffective and improper solution.”
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INFRASTRUCTURE
Brown:
“We have roads and tunnels and railroads and even a dam that the president could help us with. And that will create good-paying American jobs.”
Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Paramount:
“If the president wants to build infrastructure in California, whether it’s roads, trains, etc., we want to make sure that workers’ rights are protected, want to make sure our environment is protected.”
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WHAT WAS MISSING:
Sen. Patricia Bates, R-Laguna Niguel:
“The governor did not address some of the major challenges that the state faces from within. These challenges include an uneven economy that benefits too few Californians, growing pension liabilities and a cost-of-living that is significantly above the national average.”
Assemblyman Jim Patterson, R-Fresno:
“The governor conveniently chose to distract us from the real problems facing our state with his own version of the facts, ignoring an exploding crime rate as more and more prisoners are released, an ever increasing cost of living, and an unemployment rate that no longer takes into account the staggering number of people who have just given up.”
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