Contesting cuts: Protest staged at Capitol

Sacramento Bee
January 15, 2009

by Bill Lindelof

While state leaders debated California's budget, a rally outside the Capitol on Wednesday brought out several hundred people – many who said that during an economic downturn, state budget cuts are wrong:

Children's resources

Steve Weaver, 43, Auburn. Parent of two children, one with a disability, and Auburn Union School District trustee.

"Regional centers give us services that support our child's needs so that she can be an active part of the community. Also, schools very well may be cut. Music, libraries, computer labs could be cut again."

College tuition

Whitney Thompson, 22, Fresno. Fresno State University college student and waitress.

"I'd like to be a teacher. I'm in a crazy amount of debt and the fees are rising every year. I have to work more, which hurts my grades."

Medi-Cal

Beverly Griffith, 50, Oakland. Housekeeping worker at Sutter Alta Bates/Summit Medical Center

"If we don't have Medi-Cal then we are going to see more cuts at our hospital and see patient care affected. We have quality care now."

Home health care

Ramiro Montoya, Berkeley, 53, advisory board member In-Home Supportive Services, HIV positive

"I have a terminal illness. My attendant has saved my life three times. I definitely need someone to help me with my daily routine. If they cut my attendant's salary, how will I survive?"

Public schools

Anne McCaughey, Stockton, 51. President, Stockton Teachers Association

"Cuts could almost decimate public education. We are already struggling for materials, technology. We are using outdated equipment and our classrooms are in disrepair. It is getting harder and harder to recruit the best and the brightest into the teaching profession."