In this year’s state of the state address, Brown calls government to action. Governor Brown praises California’s recent triumphs
SACRAMENTO – Governor Jerry Brown gave his 20 minute State of the State address Jan. 24 divulging on California’s current issues including the economy, climate change and education system. Throughout the address, Brown angled his talking points with a historical narrative, by recollecting on a timeline of the monumental events that shaped California. Governor Brown mentioned everyone from the forty niner frontiersmen, to the civil war railroads, as well as the birth of the Silicon Valley technology boom of HP, Apple and Qualcomm.
Brown also utilized this time to elicit momentum for policies that he is working towards, including his newly proposed Local Control Funding Formula. Specifically this new legislation would distribute supplemental funds over an extended period of time to school districts. This new agenda has received mixed reaction from citizens.
In summary, the funding would be need based. Schools that are not meeting the standards will receive more funding than schools performing at higher levels.
“Equal treatment for children in unequal situations is not justice,” Brown said.
Brown applauded California’s passing of Proposition 30, a temporary tax raise that held great impact for the funding of California State University, Stanislaus as well as the rest of California’s institutions of higher education.
In a note of optimism towards the economy, he acknowledged the state’s 1.3 million jobs lost during the Great Recession, but contends that California is recovering at a faster pace.
As the first state to pass President Obama’s Affordable Care Act, Brown stated that as a result a new health benefit exchange that he has coined, “Covered California” will go into effect this year. Although he affirmed that costs cannot yet be predicted, he is positive that 1 million Californians will be insured. His ultimate goal is to have every Californian insured.
Governor Brown rounded out his speech addressing the construction of the California High Speed Rail, one of the boldest projects authorized in 2012. The route is expected to begin in Madera, move through the Tehachapi Mountains and eventually reach its final destination at Union Station in Los Angeles. The High Speed Rail authority was first proposed in 1981. Thirty years later, ‘the little engine that could’ will finally begin construction this year.
“California is back, its budget is balanced, and we are on the move,” Brown said. “Let’s go out and get it done.”