The Senator Reports

May 28th, 2009

Finding a New Focus on Budget and Oversight
By Senator Mark Wyland

Last month, I recommended to the Governor and legislative leaders that this Legislature suspend all legislative activity and work exclusively on the budget.

As we continue wrestling with the difficult choices ahead, suspending all legislation and working only on oversight and the budget, we would better identify programs that do not achieve our aims and should be eliminated or altered, as well as programs that are very effective and should be expanded.

Little time is spent examining our budget problems. It's impossible for members to know anything more than to vote with their parties, because we are simply uninformed, thanks to a broken process in desperate need of reform. That is exactly why I propose we change our broken system to better help legislators understand what is actually in the budget before we vote on it.

Please visit my website at www.senate.ca.gov/wyland to view my budget reforms.

Senator Mark Wyland represents the people of the 38th Senate District, which includes cities in north San Diego County and the south Orange County cities of San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano.

Senator Mark Wyland
1910 Palomar Point Way, Suite 105
Carlsbad, California 92008
760.931.2455 Office
email: senator.wyland@sen.ca.gov

Selling off San Diego County
By Assemblyman Martin Garrick

Recently, the Governor presented the “May Revise” for the state budget. Much of the information was not a surprise - the state is taking in less money than previous years and spending is outpacing revenue. What was shocking about the plan was the Governor’s intention to sell the Del Mar Fairgrounds. For decades, Del Mar Fairgrounds has served as one of California’s premier family destinations. As host to the San Diego County Fair, live thoroughbred racing, and dozens of concerts and special events, Del Mar is truly in a class of its own. Furthermore, the site serves as an economic generator for North County and California.

While I agree that selling off state property that is a drain on our general fund makes sense, Del Mar is far from a money waster. I don’t support selling Del Mar Fairgrounds and I encourage everyone to write the Governor and tell him not to sell off one of California’s treasures.

Assemblyman Martin Garrick serves the communities of Carlsbad, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Rancho Santa Fe, San Marcos, Vista, and portions of San Diego, Escondido and Oceanside as the Assemblyman for the 74th District.