The other night I received an e-newsletter from my Assemblyman, Republican Roger Niello. Here’s some of what it said:

“We begin this year’s Budget Conference Committee with the assumption that billions of dollars will be raised from new, unspecified taxes.  This is a fantasy of the majority party only.  Pushing only for higher taxes and refusing to consider any significant budget savings is irresponsible and reckless.  Republicans have been very clear that there is no support for the massive tax increases that have been proposed.  As the conference committee begins its work, I hope that we will work together to find significant budget savings and pass the necessary reforms to balance the budget without raising taxes.”

I sent Mr. Niello this response:

“You begin this year’s Budget Conference Committee with the assumption that billions of dollars will be raised from new, draconian budget cuts.  This is a fantasy of the minority party only.  Pushing only for significant budget savings and refusing to consider raising revenue is irresponsible and reckless.  Democrats and the people of California  have been very clear that there is no support for the massive program cuts thatt have been proposed.  As the conference committee begins its work, I hope that you will work together to find needed revenues and pass the necessary reforms to balance the budget without cutting essential programs and services.”