“The California State budget system is dysfunctional. We need to spend one year of our session where all we do is the budget, because I think it’s simply impossible the way we’re structured now to have the time and energy of our members focused on what we’re doing to even have a chance to do the in-depth analytical work that would help us. I think if we had the time to focus on budget, you’d see more bipartisanship, because the reality is many of us do want the same things.” – Senator Mark Wyland

California is in a financial crisis, I believe that it’s time we reform our broken budget system once and for all to do what’s right for California. I’m hoping that you will join me in supporting my common sense budget and education reforms.

The first budget reform would require the Legislature every other year to focus on only the budget, leaving the other year for legislation. Focusing on the budget for an entire year ensures that the Legislature eliminates the many unnecessary and silly bills many of my well-intentioned colleagues get carried away with, but most importantly makes certain that lawmakers spend an entire year focusing on just the budget.

The other reform would empower the State Auditor to examine each government program to evaluate its effectiveness as an expenditure of taxpayer dollars. It’s unbelievable that this Legislature doesn’t verify that the programs we dump millions, even billions, into are working effectively. With this sort of negligence, none of us should be surprised that we were suffering from a $15.2 billion deficit, or that next year that number might be even bigger.

Education also remains a passion of mine, and I’m particularly dedicated to strengthening our science and math programs to put more hands-on science technology in classroom. It’s important that California works to motivate more students to enter these fields and help retain our proud status as science technology leaders. I additionally want to increase the strength of civics education programs in public elementary and secondary schools, developing curriculum that encourages more students to vote, read the newspaper and actively participate in civics.

This site will be continually updated to provide you with news stories, press releases, photos, and information regarding what is happening in your Legislature and how it affects you and your family. It will also include my recent radio and TV interviews, so you can hear straight from me what’s going on in our Golden State.

Thank you for stopping by and please check back often for regular updates.

Sincerely,
Senator Mark Wyland