Senator Stern’s Statement on Passage of 2017-18 Budget

SACRAMENTO – Senator Henry Stern released the following statement regarding the Senate’s passage of the 2017-18 state budget: 

“California's economy is surging, and while we could have spent more, this budget shows restraint.  Given the chaos in Washington, and inevitability of future downturns in the economy, bolstering the rainy day fund to $12 billion and reducing long-term pension liabilities makes good fiscal sense,” stated Senator Henry Stern.

“Luckily, our economy is so strong, we were still able to boost per pupil spending to the highest levels in California history, protect women and children's access to healthcare, ensure seniors can age with dignity, and protect people with developmental disabilities and mental health challenges, including our veterans.”

Senator Stern successfully secured funding for career technical training programs, one of his top budget priorities this year. The continued funding for the California Partnership Academies supports career technical education programs at five local high schools including Birmingham Community Charter High School, Calabasas High School, Canoga Park High School, Chatsworth High School, and Thousand Oaks High School.

Senator Stern also saw key provisions in his bill to protect children from cannabis consumption adopted in the budget, with support from the Police Chiefs Association and numerous parent advocacy groups.  Stern introduced SB 794 in response to the passage of Proposition 64, which will make cannabis available for recreational use on January 1, 2018.  Stern's bill, now codified in the budget, will prevent childhood poisonings from cannabis consumption by imposing restrictions on packaging, labeling, and marketing.  

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Contact: Alicia.Isaacs@sen.ca.gov   Phone: (916) 224-8488

Henry Stern is Chair of the Senate Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments, and the first millennial elected to the California State Senate. Senator Stern also serves on four additional key committees: Energy, Utilities and Communications, Environmental Quality, Judiciary, and Natural Resources and Water. He represents nearly 1 million residents of the 27th Senate District, which includes Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Malibu, Moorpark, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, part of Santa Clarita and the following Los Angeles communities: Canoga Park, Chatsworth, Encino, Porter Ranch, Reseda, Tarzana, West Hills, Winnetka, and Woodland Hills. http://sd27.senate.ca.gov.