I had another opportunity to sit down with Assemblyman Simon
Salinas this week to discuss your favorite topic, and mine, the
California budget.
I had another opportunity to sit down with Assemblyman Simon Salinas this week to discuss your favorite topic, and mine, the California budget. This 30-minute episode of Updates from the Capitol was shot at the Assemblyman’s office in Salinas on July 16, so by the time you read this article, who knows what the state of the state will be. The drama could be over, or just beginning. My sense is, after talking with Salinas, that the pressure is on to come up with a solution ASAP before our state government (and state services) come to a screeching halt.
What is particularly disheartening is the list of initial casualties this stalemate will produce; namely, the poor and elderly. Salinas addresses the fact that adult care facilities that rely on Medi-Cal reimbursements stopped receiving checks as of July 1. Community Colleges which have not prepared for this delay in funding won’t be able to continue classes or pay their employees until the budget is finalized.
Fortunately for Gavilan, steps were taken long ago in anticipation of this battle delaying funding.
It is frightening to think that our state is living on borrowed money for the first time in its history, and that this pot of gold runs out next month. Assemblyman Salinas expressed his views as to how California needs to make some serious changes to what many consider an ineffective process as to how the budget is approved. The point is brought home that this isn‚t about Democrats and Republicans. This is about making a sustainable California a top priority. This is about living within our means.
When asked how individuals can help in this process, Assemblyman Salinas offered this suggestion: educate yourselves. Be aware. Read and do research. It is up to us, the voters of California, to hold our representatives accountable and cry for change when necessary. A passive public will surely not promote the needed reform our state system is screaming for. We are the powerful catalysts for such change.
Catch Updates from the Capitol on Channel 17 in Hollister and San Juan Bautista daily at 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. Channel 20 in Gilroy, Hollister and San Juan Bautista will also be airing Updates beginning Wednesday, July 23 at 4:30 p.m.
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Heads up for those who are ready to dive in to the world of producing a community TV show! CMAP is offering their free orientation class on Saturday, Aug. 2 at 11 a.m. If you’d like to sign up, shoot us an email at vi*******@****ap.org, or give us a call at 846-4983.
If you’ve experienced our entertaining shtick at orientation already, you may be ready for the beginning digital editing workshop. The workshop is a two-parter and starts next Tuesday, July 22 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Finally, I’d like to alert you to the newest addition to our fantastic website: the photo gallery. You’ll see pics of the whole CMAP crew and volunteers, as well as our terrific hosts Liz Crane and Rob Campbell.
I particularly like the pic of our access facilitator with do-rag and beer in hand after the HIR. That was one refreshing Corona, let me tell you: www.mycmap.org.
Suzanne St. John is the director of Community Access Television. Her column is published each Thursday. Reach her at sa***@****ap.org.
