Statement by Assemblymembers Olsen and Nestande on LAO's Report on Education Funding in the Governor's Budget

SACRAMENTO - Today, Assemblymembers Kristin Olsen, R-Modesto, and Brian Nestande, R-Palm Desert, issued the following statement in response to the "2012-13 Budget: Proposition 98 Education Analysis" released by the non-partisan Legislative Analyst Office (LAO):

"Today's report by the LAO that the Governor's budget would require a suspension of Proposition 98 or an additional $1.7 billion in cuts highlights the need for honest and transparent budget discussions. We need to be straightfoward with teachers, parents and students regarding the level of funding they will be receiving, instead of misleading them with smoke and mirrors.

"We believe education funding should be a top priority, and we will be introducing a Constitutional Amendment to end the use of deferrals and other gimmicks that are used to hide the ball and that result in our schools being short-changed."

To read the LAO's full report click here.