Re: Group submits class complaints (9/24/09)

Having read every budget bill making about $60 billion in cuts to education, health, mental health, social services, developmental disabilities, corrections, transportation, agriculture and local government over four budget sessions during this past 2009 legislative year, I am keenly aware of the hardships imposed by a majority of the Legislature and signed by the governor.

As a professional social worker, I know all too well the effects of the draconian budget reductions on services to the most vulnerable Californians -- measures, incidentally, that I did not support.

I had the pleasure of meeting CFA Chapter President Ramon Castellblanch at a recent Napa-Solano Labor Council Labor Day Breakfast in Benicia. Our "meeting" lasted about five minutes.

As he voiced his displeasure over actions taken by the legislature this past year, I agreed with him, and stated only that my hope was that any faculty walk-outs would not occur on instructional days so as not to place further hardship on students.

President Castellblanch made it very clear to me that he did not agree with my position.
However, to suggest that our brief, chance encounter provided news to my studied budget votes is simply inaccurate.

I look forward to working together to make life better for all Californians.

Mariko Yamada
Assemblymember, 8th Assembly District