Gov. Brown visits Riverside to make case for proposed state budget deal

Gov. Jerry Brown rolled into the Southland on Friday for the first stop in a statewide road trip aimed at winning support for his plan to close the state’s $26 billion budget gap. His first stop: Arlanza Elementary School in Riverside.

Brown spent the morning mingling with students and teachers. Then he got down to business at a town hall-style meeting in the school’s avocado-colored auditorium.

“We have to have a balanced budget by June 30 and its either gonna be balanced by the extension of taxes or balanced with cuts,” he said.

Brown renewed his call to let voters decide in a special election whether to temporally extend income, sales and vehicle tax increases that could help close the state’s budget hole.

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“Instead of having the legislature make the decision because it’s so divided, let’s have the people make the decision,” said Brown. “That’s why I am asking that the legislature put on the ballot as soon as possible the question of whether to extend taxes or to embrace massive cutbacks in public safety, in schooling and in health care for the poor. I don’t feel comfortable making such consequential decisions with just a bunch of lawmakers.”

Republican state lawmakers say the governor is employing scare tactics to goad voters into paying more taxes. They’re calling for spending caps, pension overhaul and other cost-cutting approaches.

Most Republican state lawmakers may oppose Brown’s plan, but Riverside County Supervisor John Tavaglione, a Republican, sides with the governor. Tavaglione represents the county on state budget issues. He says it already faces $100 million in cuts.

“So those cuts are assuming you got the taxes?” asked Brown.

“This is assuming we get the taxes, yes sir,” Tavaglione responded. “We have anywhere from an additional $150 million to $170 million in cuts that will occur in our city alone should the tax extensions not happen. We would not be able to function.”

State Republican leaders, including state Senate minority leader Bob Dutton, turned down invitations to attend the event.

Arlanza Elementary is in Dutton’s district. The absence of GOP lawmakers at the governor’s first appearance in the Inland region since he took office underscores the divide over the state’s budget crisis.

State Republicans are rolling out their own statewide budget road show next week.